Tour Alcoa with team members Melinda Holland, Raelene Jones, Gail Black, Cheri Tiglias and Moira Oliver.
Camera IconTour Alcoa with team members Melinda Holland, Raelene Jones, Gail Black, Cheri Tiglias and Moira Oliver. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Free public tours at Alcoa in the school holidays

Jill BurgessMandurah Coastal Times

NEARLY 3000 people toured Alcoa’s mine and refining operations in 2018 in celebration of 40 years of tours, joining almost 64,000 others who have visited Alcoa’s operations since 1978.

Alcoa offers free tours to the public, educational institutions and special interest groups.

Sharing an insight into the technology and innovation that transforms the red rock-like mineral bauxite into light-weight, shining aluminium is a passion of the Alcoa tours team.

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Visitors have ranged from members of the US Congress, Chinese forestry delegates, participants from the annual Aluminium Stewardship Conference, a delegation from Africa and State and Federal representatives, all getting a first-hand look at Alcoa’s mining and refining processes, with a particular interest in their world-class rehabilitation and environmental management.

University students from the UK, local students, employees and curious members of the general public also discovered Alcoa last year and jumped on a tour bus leaving from Mandurah, Pinjarra and Waroona twice a week.

A key member of the team and 40-year tour history at Alcoa, Raelene Jones, has shared Alcoa’s story over the decades and many of her tourists have claimed a place in her memory.

“One of my highlights from this year was a couple from Belgium who planned their entire visit to Australia around coming on an Alcoa tour,’’ she said.

“The man was a former Alcoa employee from the Netherlands and his son was in Alcoa’s graduate program at Pinjarra.’’

Free public tours of Alcoa will run over the school holidays and are available on Wednesdays to Huntly and Pinjarra (with pick up in Mandurah and Pinjarra) and on Thursdays to Willowdale and Wagerup (with pick up in Pinjarra and Waroona).

Bookings are essential.

For more information email tourcentre@alcoa.com.au or phone 9530 2400 leaving details of the preferred date to attend and the number of people in the group.

Tours will be subject to numbers.