US miner under further investigation after destroying WA habitat of black cockatoos, quokkas and numbats

Pressure grows on Alcoa over strip-mining of Western Australian jarrah forest, which also threatens Perth’s water supply

• Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast

US mining company Alcoa’s strip-mining of Western Australia’s jarrah forest is under further investigation after its “deliberate repeat breach” of environmental laws that destroyed habitat for protected species – including black cockatoos, quokkas and numbats – and cost it $40m to avoid prosecution.

The ongoing inquiry into Alcoa’s clearing at its Willowdale mine was revealed in talking points for federal ministers prepared ahead of the February announcement of a record $55m settlement for clearing at its Huntly mine.