The first Australian bauxite mines were opened in early 1960s in Western Australia and Cape York, Queensland, followed shortly after by a major bauxite deposit in Gove, Northern Territory.

These projects launched Australian aluminium industry, which today provides income for about 75,000 families and contributes around $18 billion annually to our national economy*.

Behind these figures, bauxite miners have a long history of sponsoring local community initiatives.

Today, companies are shifting towards a more strategic model of social support that champions long-term investment in people, places and sustainability priorities.

Multi-generational mine involvement

Several of Australia’s bauxite mines have been open for decades and many locals in those regions grew up with the bauxite industry as a backdrop.

Cameron Woolla, a Traditional Owner of the Wik and Wik Waya people of Aurukun, says he and his family would regularly travel to Weipa, the next major township.

“My uncle worked in the mines, so we would go and visit him. I have a lot of memories of driving from Weipa to Aurukun, and parking to watch the haul trucks cross the road. It was exciting.”

Cameron, who now works as a specialist for operational readiness at Glencore’s Aurukun Bauxite Project, hopes the new project will create long-term opportunities for the next generation.

“Everyone can benefit from this mine – whether it be having a successful job in the future or establishing a business that services the mine or the town. It will create pathways for everyone.”

Jaeme Davey is a community engagement and development superintendent for Metro Mining. Their Bauxite Hills Mine opened in 2018 and cultivates widespread local participation. 85% of its employees reside in north Queensland.

“We are getting multiple generations of family members coming to work with us,” she says.

“We’ve grown that trust through a range of initiatives from simple actions like running good quality transport to and from site through to ambitious local employment and procurement targets,

“Whether it’s parents and their children on the same shift at the mine, or up to 4 generations of Traditional Owners going out together on Country as part of our community seed collection program, it’s a privilege to see and support that community pride and connection.”

Several of Australia’s bauxite mines have been open for decades and many locals in those regions grew up with the bauxite industry as a backdrop.

Major Western Australia-based bauxite miner Alcoa also supports multi-generational connection through its long-term partnership between the Alcoa Foundation and EdConnect.

EdConnect sends volunteers into schools to provide crucial learning support and help young people reach their potential. The Alcoa Foundation has invested more than $1 million into the program over the past decade. In 2025 alone, EdConnect volunteers helped 2,000+ students in the south-west Western Australian region.

Sally Fairnie, senior partnerships advisor for Alcoa Australia, says they are committed to supporting programs that improve access to education.

“Our partnership with EdConnect enables lasting impact, and we’re continually inspired by the volunteers who empower students and strengthen communities.

Education, skills and employment

Beyond providing jobs, Australian bauxite miners are increasingly focused on developing diverse regional workforces. Skills and capabilities nurtured for this purpose can benefit communities far beyond mining. Initiatives often deliver employability skills that are relevant for many sectors.

As a major employer and operator of 2 bauxite mines in the Cape York region, Rio Tinto is able to drive First Nations job training and opportunities at scale.

Its Local Aboriginal Persons traineeship program has trained more than 300 Indigenous people since it began in 2002, including Thanikwithi woman, Shiona Budby.

Shiona began her career with Rio Tinto more than a decade ago as a trainee mine operator through the traineeship program. This year she was appointed to manage the Amrun mine.

Along the way, Shiona has worked as an operator, grade controller, supervisor and production superintendent, gaining diverse experience across operations.

“To me, being a manager means creating strong foundations that enable people to succeed in their roles.”

Across the other side of the country in northern Western Australia, VBX is rolling out a similar program at its Wuudagu Project.

They have partnered with regional providers to deliver introductory courses for local participants, covering workplace health and safety, white card accreditation and pre-employment checks. Some participants are also able to gain hands-on experience in the project’s exploration program.

Ryan de Franck, managing director, says they are building skills early to enhance participation.

“Although we are still in development, we are working with Traditional Owners and registered training organisations to develop capability in a structured, sustainable way.

“This includes creating opportunities on Country and developing a multi-generational learning plan that covers everything from foundational literacy and numeracy through to job skills.”

Health and wellbeing

Another – perhaps less expected – determiner of local employment is health and wellbeing. Glencore’s Aurukun project is driving better outcomes through its ‘Journey to JobFit’ program.

Aurukun has a population of around 1,200 people, most of whom are Traditional Owners of the shire and surrounding lands. The region has historically faced long-term unemployment, and difficulty in accessing good quality health care due to its remoteness.

Delivered in collaboration with local providers in a way that is culturally appropriate, Journey to JobFit educates participants on employment health requirements, conducts functional and medical assessments, and provides strategies to maintain physical and mental wellbeing.

Julian Farrugia, Aurukun Bauxite Project director, says the program is supporting locals to get “job-ready”, which will help Glencore to meet its community employment commitments.

“A secondary goal is to help improve the health of the Aurukun community. Family members are encouraged to be part of the program to increase the likelihood of success,” he says.

Metro Mining also runs a community partnership program that aims to foster personal growth and wellbeing, supporting initiatives across arts and culture, sport and recreation, health and more.

For the past two years, the program has partnered with the Johnathan Thurston Academy, delivering its ‘JTLeadLikeAGirl’ program to senior high school students at a local college. The 10-week program of interactive workshops focuses on leadership, teamwork and resilience, and helps to instil confidence, courage and self-belief in the female participants.

Alcoa focuses on food relief as part of its community wellbeing initiatives, working alongside Foodbank Western Australia. Another multi-year funding commitment, the partnership has funded a new Mobile Foodbank vehicle that enables FoodBank to reach more remote communities.

It has also allowed a broader range of food products to be distributed by supporting the purchase of additional equipment such as forklifts and refrigeration units, which improve access to fresh and frozen goods. And Alcoa staff have volunteered in packing meals and hampers.

Foodbank WA CEO Kate O’Hara describes the support as transformative.

“Alcoa’s funding has helped us respond to rising food insecurity, expand operational capacity, and pilot new service models that are now being adopted across other regional branches,” she says.

*Australian Aluminium Council, Economic Contribution of the Australian Aluminium Industry