Globally diversified mining and metals company South32 expects to obtain approval for its Worsley Alumina mine development project – a mine life extension project – from the Western Australia state later this month and federal approval early in 2025. This follows the positive outcome of an appeal of an earlier decision by the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), which recommended that the project be approved, but subject to conditions that South32 said went beyond reasonable measures for managing environmental risks and would create significant operating challenges.