Alcoa's Mercury Emissions: A Tightrope Between Mining and Conservation

0:00A major U.S. mining company, Alcoa, is pushing back against worries about spiking mercury emissions from its refinery in western Australia's southwest. The plant head wagerup sits about 120 kilometers south of Perth in the world's only gerophores, where they process box-side into, alumina. Compliance reports showed mercury levels jumping in 2023, prompting a license review by the Department of Water and Environmental, regulation back in March. Alcoa says there's no sudden release, just more box-side getting processed in natural ups and downs in the ores mercury content. Officials agree the rise comes from higher concentrations in the ore, plus some worn-out equipment, but they rule they won't pose big risks right now. Conservation groups like the Conservation Council of Western Australia are fired up, appealing the license renewal over health and eco-threats. They worry mercury, a nasty neurotoxin, builds up over time, hitting sensitive spots and threatened critters like numbats, quacas, and black.

1:01Cockatoo's without solid studies on the damage. Occurting university prof notes mercury's everywhere in soil naturally, but the real danger kicks in with heavy, long-term exposure, especially if it leeches into water. As the appeal heads to western Australia's appeals convener for a decision, this clash highlights the tightrope between mining ops and protecting those ancient forests. I'm Corey with the story. That's your Sydney News Today update, AI-powered and always on.