Hancock Prospecting

Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd (HPPL) is an Australian company that is operating in the Pilbara and the iron ore sector.

Founded by Lang Hancock in 1952 a progression of 10 iron ore mines have been developed from original Hancock discoveries, the first being Tom Price in 1966.

The company is now led by Hancocks daughter Gina Rinehart, who has been described as her fathers "alter ego". Taking over after her fathers passing and turning the company into the billion dollar empire it is today.

In December 1992 Hope Downs Iron Ore entered a State Agreement to gain security for the Hope Downs tenements. The Hope Downs mine has commenced, (November 2007) with 50 percent partners Rio Tinto Iron Ore (RTIO). A second mine at Hope Downs 1 South commenced November 2008.

The company is now focused on coal projects in Queensland's Galilee Basin and it's flagship $10 billion Roy Hill project in WA.

Hancock Prospecting has a 70% share in Roy Hill, when completed, the Roy Hill mine will be the largest iron ore mines in the Pilbara, as it will be mining around 350 million tonnes material annually. This will include around 68 million tonnes a year of wet ROM (run-of-mine) ore.