We mine bauxite in the South West of Australia and transport it on an overland conveyor belt to a refinery where the bauxite is turned into white alumina powder. The alumina is then exported to smelters around the world.
As part of the Worsley Alumina operations, bauxite is mined near the town of Boddington, 130 kilometres (kms) south east of Perth. It is then transported on the largest overland conveyor belt in the southern hemisphere, for more than 50 kms, to a refinery near the town of Collie, where a 100-year-old process is used to turn the red bauxite rock into white alumina powder.
The alumina is then transported by rail to Bunbury Port, where it is shipped to smelters around the world, including our Hillside and Mozal aluminium smelters in Africa.
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.
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.
See case studyAs 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.
We've developed new technology to monitor and reduce diesel exhaust emissions at our underground mines.
Read moreWe're supporting local youth coding clubs in the South West of Western Australia.
Read moreWe're giving school students an opportunity to get real experience in our operations.
Read moreGet in touch with Worsley Alumina
Dino started his career in the renewable energies sector. He joined BHP in 2004 and has held various operational and maintenance roles at Worsley Alumina and Mozal Aluminium in Mozambique. Prior to his current role he was General Manager at Worsley Refinery. Dino holds qualifications in engineering, science and finance.
Worsley Alumina
PO Box 344
Collie, 6225
Western Australia
Australia
Phone: +61 8 9734 8311
Community: 1800 555 958