News

Rinehart joins forces with lithium giant SQM in $1.7b Azure bid

Gina Rinehart has landed her first big partnership in lithium by joining forces with Chilean giant Sociedad Quimica y Minera to launch a knockout $1.7 billion bid for explorer Azure Minerals. Mrs Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting and SQM have locked up more than 60 per cent of the stock after their improved 50-50 bid, pitched at $3.70 a share up from $3.52, won the support of at least two other major shareholders: billionaire prospector Mark Creasy and Delphi Group. Chris Ellison’s Mineral Resources can opt to sell into the Rinehart-SQM takeover, or resist giving up what is currently a 13.5 per cent stake. Mr Ellison said in November that he wanted a big piece of Azure’s Andover project; MinRes declined to reveal its intentions on Tuesday. The Hancock-SQM scheme of arrangement is contingent on no other player acquiring or increasing its holding in Azure to more than 15 per cent.

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Christmas in the Country

For the third year running, Hancock Prospecting with the assistance of Okeland Communities put on another Christmas Lights Competition for the Bullsbrook community, open for both individual homes and community groups. It was another dazzling display, from traditional twinkling lights to creative and imaginative displays – Bullsbrook residents spared no effort in illuminating their homes for this friendly competition. The town’s festive spirit was contagious, with families and friends strolling through the neighborhoods to marvel at the creativity and dedication showcased in each illuminated masterpiece. The Christmas Lights Competition most definitely spread a lot of joy during the festive season!

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Gina Rinehart buys popular Australian shoe brand Rossi Boots

Billionaire and mining magnate Gina Rinehart has furthered her journey into the Australian fashion industry by purchasing the shoe brand, Rossi Boots. Rinehart’s company S. Kidman and Co. said its purchase of the boot manufacturer, which has been operating since 1910, was a part of its “commitment to preserving iconic national brands” “(This) ensures that Rossi’s manufacturing excellence remains in Australian hands and will see it expand into new markets,” the company said.

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Gina Rinehart to launch a fashion brand with purchase of Rossi Boots

Mining Magnate Gina Rinehart’s foray into country chic continues with her livestock company buying a popular Aussie shoe brand. Gina Rinehart’s foray into country chic continues with her livestock company S.Kidman & Co buying popular Aussie shoe brand Rossi Boots. The acquisition follows the company’s purchase of Driza-Bone, makers of the iconic oilskin jackets beloved of stockmen, earlier this month. Both brands were previously owned by the Propel Group, and the company has not released details of the amount it paid for either brand.Rossi Boots owns the Kidman trademark with will serve as the launch pad for Ms Rinehart’s new fashion brand.

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Propel Group offloads Rossi following Driza-Bone sale

The Propel Group has agreed to sell the Rossi boots business to S. Kidman and Co – a beef production company chaired by mining magnate Gina Rinehart. It is the second brand sale this month by the Propel Group to S. Kidman and Co, after offloading its apparel brand Driza-bone. “Rossi boots has been wholly Australian-owned since 1910 and, together with our partners, it has been an honour to grow and develop this iconic Australian brand’s legacy of craftsmanship that is etched into the history of our country,” Propel Group chief executive Caroline Elliott said. “S. Kidman and Co is committed to preserving and expanding the Rossi brand into new markets and we are excited that this will continue under Australian ownership and investment.”

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‘Greatest Australian woman’: Ian Plimer praises Gina Rinehart

Geologist Ian Plimer has praised mining billionaire Gina Rinehart, saying she “doesn’t get enough credit” in Australia. Mr Plimer told Sky News Australia that Ms Rinehart is “the greatest Australian woman” the country has ever produced. “She did it herself, she didn’t inherit anything,” she said. “She’s built a huge private company, the biggest private company in Australia. “She should be honoured for employing so many people and for paying such a huge amount of tax.”

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What we can all learn from Blind Freddie

This is an edited extract of Gina Rinehart’s speech to The Australian Financial Review Business Person of the Year awards on December 14. We need policy that helps Australians. We need policies that make investment in our country worth doing. If we have any interest in maintaining our standards of living, we should be doing what other countries are doing. Rolling out the red carpet for investment. Expensive trade trips, even the expense of trade personnel overseas, well – without cutting the cost and delay, or worse, of government red tape, there’s no reason for those.

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