Mining giant Alcoa has announced it will permanently close its Kwinana alumina refinery.

Click PLAY to hear about the closure.

Chris Oughton, formerly of the Kwinana Industries Council, explained to Perth Today host Simon Beaumont that a lack of consistent renewable energy was a significant issue for the refinery.

“These old refineries have to meet modern emissions controls and regulatory requirements, of course they have to, but sometimes it just comes to the point when they can’t,” he said.

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Image: Alcoa