On 17 February, 2026, the federal government announced significant developments in how Alcoa’s bauxite mining operations in Western Australia’s jarrah forests are regulated by the the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth).

Our media release about the announcement is here.

Since the decision, EDO has received many enquiries seeking to understand the announcement and next steps in relation to Alcoa’s operations in the Northern Jarrah Forest.

In this explainer by EDO Special Counsel Ruby Hamilton provides an overview of:

  1. The background to Alcoa’s operations in WA’s Northern Jarrah Forest;
  2. The $55 million penalty that Alcoa will pay for clearing threatened species habitat between 2019 and 2025;
  3. The newly commenced strategic assessment of Alcoa’s operations; and
  4. The special “national interest” exemption from federal environmental laws granted to Alcoa to operate while the assessment is underway.

Download the full explainer document here.