President Alcoa Mining Garret Dixon (left) and Huntly mine’s Jim Blacklock celebrating the one billionth milestone with mining employees. Jim is Alcoa’s longest serving mining employee, having worked for the company for 44 years.
Alcoa’s workforce is celebrating an historic milestone after
achieving one billion tonnes of bauxite mined, following 53 years of operation
in Western Australia.
President Alcoa Mining Garret Dixon saluted the hard work
and tireless efforts of past and present employees who have worked across its
mining operations at Jarrahdale, Huntly and Willowdale.
“We’re very proud of this achievement and also our
decades-long, internationally recognised land rehabilitation program – one of
the most critical parts of the mining process which sees jarrah forest ecosystems
restored,” said Mr Dixon.
Mr Dixon said Alcoa had built a world-class integrated
mining, refining and smelting system in Australia with a strong sustainability
record.
“In Australia, our bauxite is used to produce alumina to
supply approximately eight per cent of world alumina demand and we make alumina
as low as one third of the greenhouse footprint per tonne of product of some of
our Asian competitors,” he said.
Alcoa’s value-add refining and smelting businesses in
Australia meant the company has made a significant economic and social
contribution. Adding to this, the mining business will realise the opportunity
to export bauxite into new markets in 2016.
“Alcoa injects billions of dollars each year into Peel and
South-West communities, the State and the nation. In Western Australia alone,
we employ approximately 4,000 people and inject more than $2.2 billion per
annum in local procurement and payroll. We also invest millions of dollars and
thousands of volunteering hours each year into local community groups and
projects.”
“We thank all our local communities, suppliers, contractors
and government stakeholders for their support.”
The company celebrated its success with past and present
employees, key stakeholders and the Hon Nigel Hallett MLC, representing Premier
Barnett, at a special event in Mandurah on Thursday. Huntly mine’s Jim
Blacklock, Alcoa’s longest serving mining employee, also joined the
celebrations.
“Since joining the company in December 1971 (44 years ago),
I’ve seen huge change,” said Mr Blacklock.
“The automation of processes and the volume of production
are what impress me the most. But by far it is the people who have given me the
greatest enjoyment; they’re brilliant,” he said.
Alcoa named a mining road after Jim Blacklock in recognition
of his commitment to the company. Other long-serving employees have had roads
named in their honour too, with Alcoa’s first WA Manager of Mines, Jim Langford,
having the popular Langford Park, located at Alcoa’s rehabilitated Jarrahdale
mine site, named after him. Langford Park opened in 1975 and is a popular
family picnic spot with mountain bike and bridle trails.
Credits: Alcoa
