DIRECT action at Alcoa’s Huntly mine near Jarrahdale halted operations for about three hours earlier in April, as protesters escalated pressure over ongoing clearing in the Northern Jarrah Forest.

A group of 16 activists entered the site on April 13 and stopped work near an active clearing area, with organisers claiming it was the first direct action to halt mining operations there since the 1970s.

The protest followed the federal government’s February decision to grant Alcoa an 18-month exemption allowing mining to continue while environmental assessments proceed, despite the company agreeing to pay an unprecedented $55 million over unlawful clearing in the Northern Jarrah Forest.

The federal government said the enforceable undertaking related to clearing between 2019 and 2025 of known habitat for nationally protected species, including black cockatoo habitat, without seeking approvals under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

The issue remains relevant to Perth Hills readers because of concerns around jarrah forest clearing and potential impacts on drinking water catchments, with local residents also joining the March for Forests rally in March opposing continued clearing in the forest.

Spokesperson Vicky Kerfoot said the Jarrahdale community had been raising concerns for decades.

“The Jarrahdale community has lived with Alcoa for more than 65 years. We have tried everything to stop Alcoa’s destruction, negotiation with governments, and with the company itself, but nothing has worked,” she said.

“Enough is enough. The jarrah forests cannot wait any longer, so why should we?”

Alcoa confirmed operations near the Huntly Bauxite Mine were suspended as a safety precaution after people were observed trespassing near active operations.

“By illegally entering an active mine site without permission or suitable escort arrangements in place, these people have put their own safety and that of our workforce at serious risk,” an Alcoa Australia spokesperson said.

Alcoa said some claims made by protesters were “untrue and misleading” and said it only mines in areas that have previously been logged.

The company also said it conducts pre-mining surveys to protect black cockatoo nesting habitat and has not negatively impacted Perth’s drinking water supply.

However, internal Water Corporation documents released earlier this year showed concerns over limited site access and warned Alcoa’s mining expansion posed a heightened risk to Perth’s drinking water catchments, particularly near Serpentine Dam.

Alcoa remains under investigation over alleged breaches involving mining too close to significant jarrah trees used as black cockatoo habitat, and federal documents show the unlawful clearing issue had been under review for years before the February agreement.