Hundreds of Jobs Lost in WA With Alumina Refinery Closure

Alcoa cited operating costs, current bauxite grades, market conditions, and the facility’s age as the main reasons for the closure of Kwinana refinery.

Aluminium plant of manufacturer Alcoa at Point Henry, near the regional city of Geelong in Victoria on Feb. 11, 2012. William West/AFP via Getty Images

The mineral sector in Western Australia (WA) has suffered a blow as alumina giant Alcoa announced a plan to shut down a major refinery in Kwinana, axing up to 1,000 jobs and leaving the local community’s future in doubt.

On Jan. 9, Alcoa revealed that the U.S.-based company would curtail production at a 60-year-old refinery in phases before closing it in 2025.