Weipa
Operation overview
Commercial quantities of bauxite were discovered on Aboriginal lands at Weipa in western Cape York in 1955. The discovery was made by geologist Harry Evans who was assisted by George Wilson (Piiramu), Old Matthew (Wakmatha) and Lea Wassell. In 1961, six years after Evans' discovery, bauxite mining began on Cape York Peninsula. 1964 was the first year of commercial production with 453,365 tonnes of bauxite mined and shipped. Forty five years later, in 2009, this annual production figure had increased to 16.3 million dry product tonnes (Mdpt).
In 2008 Rio Tinto Alcan began a feasibility study and environmental impact assessment to extend the Weipa mine in an area south of the Embley River.
Rio Tinto Alcan Weipa operates under two individual land use agreements - the Western Cape Communities Coexistence Agreement (WCCCA) and the Ely Bauxite Mining Project Agreement (EBMPA). These agreements provide economic, education and employment benefits as well as cultural heritage support and formal consultation processes between the company and Traditional Owners.
Operation data
| Employees (2009) | 745 full time employees |
| Production (2009) | 16.3 million dry product tonnes |
| Products | Metal grade bauxite |
| Operation commenced production | First commercial production in 1964 |
| Rio Tinto Alcan ownership | Rio Tinto Alcan 100 per cent |
| Markets | Rio Tinto Alcan's Yarwun refinery in Gladstone, Queensland Alumina Limited refinery in Gladstone and overseas customers |
| Ore reserves | 3,860 square kilometres. |
Contact details
Community information hotline free call 1800 707 633
Email RTAWeipafeedback@riotinto.com
Postal address c/- Weipa Post Office, Weipa, Qld 4874
