Hope Downs Mine, Weeli Wolli Creek Area, East Pilbara Shire, Western Australia, Australiai

Regional Level Types
Hope Downs Mine	Mine
Weeli Wolli Creek Area	Area
East Pilbara Shire	Shire
Western Australia	State
Australia	Country

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An iron ore deposit.
BIF-type hematite ores.

Exploration for iron resources started in the area in 1992 by Hancock
Prospecting who subsequently unsuccessfully tried to develop the deposit with a number of partners. Further delays were caused when it failed to access BHP Billiton's nearby iron ore railway line. Rio Tinto then became a partner, preventing the need to construct expensive infrastructure.

Mining started at Hope Downs 1 Pit in November 2007, and one year later at Hope Downs South Pit, 5 kilometres to the south of north pit. Mining also started in 2013 from four orebodies at Hope Downs 4, which is 35 kilometres east south-east of Hope North/South. There is also the Hope Downs 2, 3, 5, and 6 prospects. BHP Billiton's Mining Area C Mine is 10 kilometres west of Hope Downs North/South.

As a measure on how seriously environmental measures are taken in Western Australia, the company is spending $200 million (Australian) to protect the Weeli Wolli Springs, downstream from the mine. The company will manage its potential environmental impact on the spring for 20 years after mine closure.

Hope Downs North and South Pits access the Marra Mamba Iron Formation, ore mineralisation found mainly in the upper most 65 metre thick Mount Newman Member. Next is the MacLeod Member, and the lower most unit of Marra Mamba is the 109 metre Nammuldi Member. Marra Mamba contains hematite and goethite, with some silica, phosphorous, carbonate, magneta, and chert.

The mine is 75 kilometres north-west of Newman. It produces 31.4 Mtpa iron ore as lump and fine products, railed to the port of Dampier. Reserves amount to 71 Mt at 63% Fe, and estimated probable reserves are 67 Mt at 63.2 Fe. The mine is the eighth largest iron ore mine in the world (in fact 7 of the top 10 are found in the Pilbara).

The court soap opera relating to nearby Rhodes Ridge has spilled over at times to the Hope Downs Mine. Lang Hancock, and friend/business partner Peter Wright are credited with the discovery and promotion of iron in the Pilbara. It made both very rich men. Upon their deaths, Gina Rinehart took over Hancock Prospecting, while Angela Bennett took over Wright Prospecting. Both entities had equal ownership 50/50 of tenements in the area.

In early 2016 a dispute over ownership and royalty payments at the 50/50 Rio Tinto/Hancock Prospecting Hope Downs mine arose. It also involved the descendants of Pilbara prospector Don Rhodes. Wright is claiming Hancock's share of the Hope Downs 4 mine, and royalties from the Hope Downs 1 mine. The Rhodes entity is claiming 1.25% royalties on Hope Downs production. Hancock then won a Supreme Court ruling that should they lose the case, part of the possible billions of compensation be paid by Rio Tinto.

Commodity List

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Mineral List

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10 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded

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