Alcoa World Alumina Australia is undertaking comprehensive public consultation about a third production unit at its Wagerup refinery. Managing Director Wayne Osborn said the Wagerup refinery was already the most environmentally advanced alumina refinery in the world. An expansion would meet world-class health guidelines and address community expectations on health and the environment. He said Alcoa was committed to delivering no increase in dust, noise or odor impacts on residents with an expansion. "We will be conducting detailed health risk and environmental assessments to ensure the plant maintains its superior, world-class environmental performance," he said. "It would be an opportunity to create more jobs, growth and business opportunities in the region and mean about 150 permanent new Alcoa jobs and about 3000 direct and indirect jobs. This would also be a very significant project for the state, with capital expenditure of around A$1.5 billion (approximately U.S. $1.1 billion) and new export revenues of about A$17 billion over the life of the project."

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