Who we are
Our purpose is to make a difference by developing natural resources, improving people's lives now and for generations to come. We are trusted by our owners and partners to realise the potential of their resources.
Our business
- Australia
- Southern Africa
- South America
  - Brazil Alumina
  - Cerro Matoso
- Exploration & projects
  - Eagle Downs Metallurgical Coal
  - Hermosa
- Marketing
- Our commodities
South32 is a globally diversified mining and metals company producing bauxite, alumina, aluminium, energy and metallurgical coal, manganese, nickel, silver, lead and zinc in Australia, Southern Africa and South America.
Community & society
We’re a business with a purpose and believe trust and transparency are essential to the way we operate. That means being in touch with the broader community – considering different perspectives and working together to create shared value.
Environment
We work hard to be responsible stewards of the environment and treat natural resources with care so that they are available for future generations. Successful environmental management is essential to our business.
People & careers
Our people are the foundation of our success and the key to our sustainability and productivity. Together, we create an inclusive workplace where we hold ourselves and each other to account to demonstrate our values.
Investors & media
- Investor centre
- Media centre
Keep up to date with our latest news and announcements.

Worsley Alumina documents

Worsley Mine Development

History and location

South32 holds an 86 per cent interest in Worsley Alumina, while Japan Alumina Associates (Australia) Pty Ltd owns 10 per cent and Sojitz Alumina Pty Ltd owns four per cent.

Bauxite is mined near the town of Boddington, 130 kilometres south-east of Perth. It is transported by overland conveyor to the alumina refinery near Collie and turned into alumina powder, before being transported by rail to Bunbury Port. It is then shipped to smelters around the world, including South32’s Hillside and Mozal aluminium smelters in Africa.

A rich history

Interest in bauxite mining in the South West of Australia stretches back to the 1960s. However, mining and refining the ore didn’t get underway until the 1980s.

At the time, building the mine, conveyor belt and processing plant was Australia’s most expensive capital project, costing AUD$1.2 billion and employing 3500 people.

Over the past three decades our production has increased four-fold, making Worsley Alumina one of the largest and lowest-cost alumina producers in the world.

Bauxite

Improving water efficiency

We've been largely self-sufficient in water use for production purposes for thirty years. But with an ongoing drying trend affecting the region we know we need to do more to enhance water efficiency and secure our water supplies.

Playing our part

As a major employer in the South West and Peel regions of Western Australia, our operations inject more than $1 million each day into surrounding communities through wages, local businesses and community investment.

Minimising diesel exhaust emissions

We've developed new technology to monitor and reduce diesel exhaust emissions at our underground mines.

Building the skills of the future

We're supporting local youth coding clubs in the South West of Western Australia.

Inspiring the next generation

We're giving school students an opportunity to get real experience in our operations.

Contact

Get in touch with Worsley Alumina

Noel Pillay

Noel Pillay, Vice President Operations

Noel’s track record with our operations spans more than 20 years. He has held various leadership roles at Hillside Aluminium in areas that include production, projects and human resources. Prior to this, Noel spent three years at the Worsley Alumina Refinery in Western Australia as Maintenance Manager before returning to South Africa in 2012, where he was most recently Vice President Operations for Hillside Aluminium. In 2018, Noel returned to Australia to take up the role of Vice President Operations at Worsley Alumina.

Mark Worthington, Corporate Affairs

Worsley Alumina
PO Box 344
Collie, 6225
Western Australia
Australia

Phone: +61 8 9734 8311
Community: 1800 555 958