WA extends fee waivers for Tianqi, Covalent Lithium

Alcoa (ASX: AAI) will further modernise approvals frameworks for its WA mining activities as the Federal Government reforms its Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.Alcoa will undertake a strategic assessment of current and potential future mining areas through to 2045, to provide a holistic view of potential impacts to significant flora and fauna over a broad geographic area and provide stakeholders with greater clarity around the long-term future of mining operations.Operations at the Huntly and Willowdale bauxite mines, both located in WA, will continue while the assessment takes place under a national interest exemption (NIE) granted by the Federal Government.The assessment does not impact the ongoing accredited environmental assessment of the future Myara North and Holyoake mine regions of the Huntly mine under both WA and Federal Government environmental legislation.Alcoa will continue to limit annual clearing to 800ha, increase annual rates of new rehabilitation to 1000ha by 2027 and deliver environmental offsets in accordance with the EPBC Act.Late last year, the Federal Government passed the Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025 to streamline decision making and overhaul existing environmental policy.While Alcoa maintains it has operated in accordance with the EPBC Act as it currently stands, it has agreed to pay $55m (US$36) through enforceable undertakings that acknowledge historical clearing. The funding supports the health of the Northern Jarrah Forest, including programs and research that improve habitat for threatened species and control invasive flora and fauna.Alcoa president and chief executive William F Oplinger says Alcoa appreciates the Federal Government’s recognition of the important contributions of its operations to the Australian economy.“We are committed to responsible operations and welcome this important step in transitioning our approvals to a contemporary assessment process that provides increased certainty for our operations and our people into the future,” he said.“We’re proud of our more than 60 years as a leading Australian aluminium producer and the role we are now playing in support of critical minerals production.”Ministerial decisions are expected by the end of 2026 and Alcoa anticipates that mining in these new major regions will commence no earlier than 2029.The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) has called for rapid finalisation of workable national environmental standards and bilateral assessment and approval accreditation agreements.According to the MCA, finalisation of national environmental standards, accreditation of all states for both assessments and approvals would be a major step forward for Australian mining companies.MCA chief executive Tania Constable says Alcoa’s decision is a strong example of government working together with industry to arrive at an outcome that is pragmatic and economically sensible while still being focused on improving environmental performance.“This outcome will allow Alcoa to undergo a more rigorous method of assessment while guaranteeing operations and thousands of jobs in the local WA community,” she said.“The recent changes to Australia’s environmental laws will have a significant impact on our sector, and many are still working to understand the impact on their operations.“Faster approvals for mines mean we can deliver the critical minerals and other commodities the world needs quicker, responsibly and more efficiently.”

After eight years of negotiations, Australia has signed a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) to lower trade and investment barriers between the regions.Yesterday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the conclusion of negotiations for a FTA alongside a new security and defence partnership.The FTA will boost trade and cooperation on critical minerals, reinforcing the Australia–EU strategic partnership on critical minerals by establishing a clear framework that underpins market access and long-term cooperation across the full minerals value chain.Under the FTA, almost all Australian exports of manufactured goods and mineral resources to the EU will face zero import tariffs.Federal Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell says the FTA is a strategically important and economically valuable agreement at a time when Australian exporters are navigating choppy trade waters.“This hard-fought deal delivers real commercial gains for Australian exporters, farmers and producers into a market that has been difficult to enter or effectively closed for decades,” he said.“The removal of EU tariffs on most of Australia’s exports gives Australian exporters the opportunity to diversify trade with 27 European countries and 450 million consumers.”Australian companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises, will have better access to bid for lucrative European government contracts, worth about $845b annually, including for rail and construction.Australian professionals will also be able to travel to the EU more easily and will benefit from streamlined recognition of their Australian qualifications.Minerals Council of Australia chief executive Tania Constable says Australia is positioned to be a reliable, long-term supplier of the minerals essential to energy systems, defence technologies, advanced manufacturing and broader industrial resilience.“Mutual recognition of qualifications, professional services and specialist expertise will strengthen industrial capability by improving workforce mobility so critical engineering, technical and professional skills can be deployed more efficiently across mining, processing, manufacturing and defence?adjacent sectors,” she said.“The agreement improves market access for Australian miners, enhances investment certainty and provides a strong platform for increased EU investment into Australian mining projects, downstream processing and critical minerals supply chains.”The FTA will enter into force when both Australia and the EU have completed their domestic processes.

Yesterday, Australia’s Liberal Party abandoned its policy to achieve net zero — claiming emissions goals are driving up energy prices.