Alcoa’s sustainability efforts at its Western Australian operations have been recognised on a global level with the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) certification.
The Huntly and Willowdale bauxite mines and Kwinana, Pinjarra and Wagerup alumina refineries have received the certification following a third-party audit last December.
The audit verified that Alcoa’s production, sourcing and stewardship has met the responsibility standards of the certification.
Being ASI certified means Alcoa has produced its aluminium to the highest environmental, social and governance standards.
According to fellow ASI certified company Rio Tinto, this ranges from the company’s greenhouse gas emissions to human rights.
“This recognition validates the strong commitment we have to responsible and sustainable production and to working with our stakeholders to deliver long-term value,” Alcoa executive vice president and chief external affairs officer Michelle O’Neill said.
“It is additional evidence of our commitment to advance sustainably, one of our strategic priorities and a key differentiator for our future.”
This latest ASI certification is Alcoa’s ninth certified to this standard, with the company’s operations in Brazil, Canada and Spain having received ASI certification.
ASI chief executive Fiona Solomon congratulated the company for the certification.
“ASI’s 2018 annual general meeting participants were fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit the Huntly mine and Pinjarra refinery operations, so it is a pleasure to see these facilities achieve ASI certification,” she said.
Rio Tinto has also received ASI certification for performance standard and chain of custody.
The Amrun and Weipa bauxite mines and Yarwun alumina refinery in Queensland, Bell Bay aluminium smelter in Tasmania and New Zealand Aluminium Smelters all received the certification.
Rio Tinto aluminium chief executive Alf Barrios said the certification endorsed the company’s independently certified and responsibly produced aluminium to customers worldwide.
“It continues our leadership on responsible aluminium production from mine to metal,” he said.
“So our customers can meet the growing demand from consumers for sustainably sourced materials.”