Australia-US minerals deal underpinned decision to allow Alcoa to keep clearing WA forest, document reveals

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 1 min read 100% complete by Lisa CoxFebruary 20, 2026 at 03:00 PM

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A document reveals the Australian government's decision to allow US mining company Alcoa to continue clearing Western Australian jarrah forest, despite past illegal practices, was partly influenced by a critical minerals deal with the US reached last year. The document also shows Alcoa unlawfully cleared land for bauxite mining south of Perth for 15 years, despite warnings. The environment minister announced a $55 million penalty for clearing that occurred from 2019-2025 in habitat for protected species without approval. The minister granted Alcoa an 18-month national interest exemption to continue clearing while the government considers expanding Alcoa's mining operations to 2045. Conservationists have expressed outrage that the penalty was only applied to a six-year period.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Perth 40% Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 40% Trump administration 60% Murray Watt ×260% United States ×270% Western Australia 70% Australia ×280% Alcoa ×590%

Keywords

illegal clearing 90% jarrah forest 80% mining 80% critical minerals deal 70% bauxite mining 70% penalty 60% environmental protection 60% environment protection and biodiversity conservation act 60% national interest exemption 50%

Sentiment Analysis

Negative

Score: -0.40

Source Transparency

Source

The Guardian - World News

Political Lean

Center-Left (-0.40)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

Geographic Perspective

Australia

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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illegal clearing jarrah forest mining critical minerals deal bauxite mining penalty environmental protection environment protection and biodiversity conservation act national interest exemption

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