Decommissioning Western Australia's First Bauxite Mine: Co-evolving vegetation restoration techniques and targets

Abstract

The closure and decommissioning of Alcoa's first mine in Western Australia at Jarrahdale was a landmark for the company. This article describes the strategies and research contributing to successful mine rehabilitation in the Jarrah forest. Lessons learnt at Jarrahdale are being applied to other Western Australian mines. Over 30 years of research have resulted in a strong working knowledge of ecosystem function in this environment. The direct linkage of research to operational practices provides two-way benefits for practitioners and researchers. The Jarrahdale mine is the first mine in Western Australia to have received a certificate of completion from the state government. © 2007 Ecological Society of Australia.