South West Development Commission

WORSLEY ALUMINA - BHP BILLITON
Collie - Worsley Alumina Refinery Expansion

BHP Billiton announced in May 2008 the go-ahead for a $2.5 billion efficiency and growth expansion project at its Worsley alumina refinery. The expansion project will lift capacity of the refinery from 3.5 million tonnes per annum to 4.7 million tonnes per annum through expanded mining operations, additional refining capacity and upgraded port facilities. Construction has commenced and production capacity is expected to be expanded by 2012. An additional $500 million will be spent on a new multi-fuel cogeneration power plant at the refinery.
Expenditure:   $2.5 billion
Employment:  Construction phase - 1500, Operational - 200

SIMCOA OPERATIONS
Kemerton - Silicon Metal Plant Expansion

Simcoa announced in October 2009 its decision to expand the company's 32,000tpa capacity silicon metal plant at Kemerton. The first stage expansion, involving installation of a third furnace, will increase the plant capacity to 48,000tpa and commissioning is scheduled for Q3 2011. Providing world demand for silicon  continues to increase strongly, a second stage expansion, involving installation of a fourth furnace could take place by late 2013 and increase plant capacity to 64,000tpa.
Expenditure:     $100 million
Employment:    Construction - 120, Operation - 40

PERDAMAN CHEMICALS AND FERTILISERS
Collie - Coal to Urea Plant

Perdaman Chemical and Fertilisers Pty Ltd is developing a $3.5 billion coal to urea plant at the new (to be developed) Shotts Industrial Park, near Collie. The plant will use proven "best in class" coal gasification and fertiliser production technologies. Around 2.7Mtpa of coal will be used to produce approximately 2Mtpa of urea, primarily for export. The urea will be transported to Bunbury Port by rail. The company has recently received environmental approval from the WA Minister for Environment in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act. A 20-year off take agreement has been signed with Incitec Pivot.
Expenditure:   $3.5 billion
Employment:  Construction - 1500, Operational - 200

ALCOA AUSTRALIA
Wagerup - Alumina Refinery/Bauxite Mine Expansion

Alcoa is investigating the feasibility of a third production train expansion at its Wagerup alumina refinery to increase capacity up to 4.7 million tonnes per annum. In September 2006 the Minister for the Environment approved the expansion proposal. A decision on the project go-ahead is dependant on market factors.
Expenditure:   $1.5 billion
Employment:  Construction phase - 1500,  Operational - 260

BEMAX CABLE SANDS
Gwindinup - Happy Valley Mineral Sands Mine

Located adjacent to the Bemax Gwindinup deposits south of Bunbury, the project will involve the mining of the Happy Valley North and South mineral sands deposits situated on private land and in State Forest. The two deposits contain over 750,000 tonnes of recoverable heavy mineral concentrate, with average production expected to be around 150,000tpa over a combined mine life of eight years. The concentrate will be trucked to Bemax's Bunbury Mineral Separation Plant for final processing. In February 2011, the EPA recommended that the Minister for Environment not approve the company's proposal to develop the Happy Valley mine. Bemax has lodged an appeal against the EPA's decision and the matter is currenltly before the Appeals Convenor.
Expenditure:   $35 million
Employment:  Construction phase - 100, Operational - 30

BEMAX CABLE SANDS
Jangardup South - Mineral Sands Mine

Cable Sands has identified a major titanium mineral ore body adjacent to the D'Entrecasteaux National Park with estimates that the deposit would provide 2 Mt of minerals. Feasibility and environmental studies are well advanced. An environmental impact statement for the project is being prepared..
Expenditure:   $60 million
Employment:  Construction phase - 100, Operational - 50

ILUKA RESOURCES LIMITED
Tutunup - Heavy Mineral Sands

The Tutunup South mineral sands mine, located approximately 15km south east of Busselton, was commissioned in June 2011. The development involved the construction of mine pits, screen plant, ore concentrator, solar drying dams and associated mine infrastructure. The mine is expected to produce over 1Mt of heavy mineral concentrate over its four to five year life, which is transported to Capel for further processing to produce ilmenite for upgrading in the synthetic rutile kiln. The small stream of nonmagnetic material (zircon, rutile and leucoxene) is further processed at Narngulu, near Geraldton, when plant capacity allows.
Expenditure:   $30 million
Employment:  Construction - 130, Operational - 30