Alcoa refineries safe from WA bushfire

Metals giant Alcoa says its West Australian alumina refining operations have not been affected by the Waroona bushfire.

However, its Alcoa Farmlands business has sustained some damage as a result of the fire.

The Farmlands offices, comprising two buildings, south of Hamel, have been destroyed and there has been some damage to fencing.

The company said it was not aware of any livestock loss.

An emergency bushfire warning for Waroona, south of Perth, was extended on Thursday after the situation worsened in the early hours, with the out-of-control blaze burning on both sides of the South Western Highway and authorities warning that homes were under threat.

The fast-moving fire, which was sparked by a lightning strike early on Wednesday morning, had so far burnt 11,000 hectares, authorities said.

The US-based aluminium producer operates three refineries in the region, at Kwinana, Pinjarra and Wagerup, with a combined capacity of 8.8 million tonnes per year.

It also manages 19,000ha of rural landholdings at Pinjarra, Wagerup and Boddington.

The Alcoa Farmlands unit mainly produces about 2000 tonnes of beef annually, but also supports a cattle backgrounding enterprise, 800ha cropping program and grazing of 3000 sheep.

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