Wagerup refinery brought some extra shine to Alcoa of Australia’s 50th anniversary celebrations last week.

The refinery has produced 50 million tonnes of alumina since it opened along with the Willowdale bauxite mine on April 11, 1984.

This is equivalent to the alumi-nium components in more than 400,000 Boeing 747s or more than 1.7 trillion aluminium cans.

Alcoa’s Mining Operations, Kwinana Alumina Refinery and Point Henry Smelter started the process of mining bauxite and then adding value in Australia by producing alumina and smelting it into aluminium ingots in 1963.

The opening of Wagerup refinery symbolised the expansion of the business and it has contributed positively to Alcoa’s strength.

New Wagerup Refinery manager Scott Thompson said he was proud to lead the Wagerup team at a significant time in the organisation’s history.

“This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the many talented and dedicated people that have worked at the refinery throughout our history, ” he said.

“It is a milestone we have reached together, including our current and past employees.

“We feel privileged to work in and be part of these communities and have the opportunity to give back via our community partnership programs.”

The Wagerup refinery currently employed more than 680 people and contributed more than $400 million to the regional economy last year, Mr Thompson said.