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Ms Rinehart was made an officer in the general division of the Order of Australia. The mining magnate was recognised for distinguished service to the mining sector, to the community through philanthropic initiatives, and to sport as a patron. Governor-General David Hurley welcomed the new additions to the honours list. “It has been a challenging couple of years and the recipients announced today are a reminder and reflection of the richness of spirit, selflessness and good in our community,” he said.

The mining magnate is one of just 25 people in the country to be appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the general division. According to her citation, she has been recognised for “distinguished service to the mining sector, to the community through philanthropic initiatives and to sport as a patron”.

Wishing you a safe and happy Australia Day 2022.

Rinehart’s interests, largely driven by Roy Hill and her other iron ore investments delivered Hancock Prospecting a monster $7.3 billion profit in FY21 after iron ore prices scaled record highs. Mulga Downs is the latest in a string of mid-tier Pilbara iron ore proposals to emerge or reemerge in recent times, which notably include expansions at Hancock’s own Atlas Iron, the APIJV and MinRes’ (ASX:MIN) 30Mtpa Ashburton hub in the West Pilbara.

GINA Rinehart is set to add a new Pilbara iron ore mine to the portfolio of Hancock Prospecting, the first stand-alone iron ore operation to be built solely by the family mining company.

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting has filed for environmental approval for a 20 million tonne per annum (mtpa) iron ore mine on her family’s Mulga Downs station in the Pilbara. The proposed area is located within an area of existing pastoral and mining land use with transport of the ore proposed via the Great Northern Highway to Port Hedland for export. According to the proposal filed with the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), facilities will be developed to support production of up to 20 million tonnes of ore per annum (Mtpa) over a
minimum 30-year period.

Miners could face the end of two years of prosperity where they remained almost untouched by COVID-19 within Premier Mark McGowan’s fortress WA when the state opens up in three weeks. Curtin University infectious disease expert Archie Clements likened WA’s isolated mining fly-in fly-out camps to islands that were “very vulnerable places during pandemics.” “They are good at keeping infection out, but if the infection gets in it tends to sweep through the entire population and incapacitate them,” he said.

Last year, Mineral Resources (MinRes) partnered with Hancock Prospecting and Roy Hill to investigate the development of a new iron ore export facility in Port Hedland, Western Australia. Stanley Point Berth 3 in South West Creek is shaping as a viable option for the major iron producers to expand their export capacities. The agreement would see Roy Hill provide services to MinRes and Hancock to develop and operate the facility, including rail haulage and port services. MinRes managing director Chris Ellison said collaboration of this kind would shape the future of Australia’s mining industry.

“I am particularly delighted that Hancock is joining forces with Boawu, the largest steelmaker in the world,” Hancock executive chairman Gina Rinehart said. “Whilst Hancock already has a long-standing successful partnership with POSCO through our Roy Hill mega project, and a great relationship with Chinese companies who helped us deliver the outstanding Roy project, we look forward to enjoying the same successes as we work with Boawu and our friends at AMCI through the studies, development and operations of the Hardey project.”

If ever there was a game of two halves it was iron ore in 2021. The first half of the year was something we’ve never seen before and may never see againProfits and dividends went through the roof. Australia’s biggest five iron ore miners — BHP (ASX:BHP), Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO), Fortescue Metals Group (ASX:FMG), Roy Hill and Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN) paid out $59.5 billion for the year to June 30. Gina Rinehart, Australia’s richest person, banked $3.92 billion from Roy Hill alone, after the 60Mtpa miner delivered $5.6b to shareholders. Hancock Prospecting’s Atlas Iron business, on death’s door as a listed entity a few years ago, raked in more than $900 million profit as Hancock declared a $7.3 billion profit — a record for a private company and larger than three of the four big banks.

Hancock Prospecting said in a statement it was “an opportunity to make this one of the best resorts in Australia, with its special location and white sandy beaches”. Ms Carroll agreed, saying it would be a boon for the region. Ms Carroll was confident Hancock Prospecting would deliver a “truly world-class tourism development” but said there was a long road ahead.