Board and Senior Management
CHAIRMAN & DIRECTOR
MRS. GEORGINA HOPE RINEHART
Mrs Rinehart joined the Hancock Group initially as the Personal Assistant to her father, the late Lang Hancock, after studying Economics at Sydney University. Mrs Rinehart gained an extensive knowledge of the Pilbara iron ore industry during those years and in particular Marandoo, for which a Bankable Feasibility Study was undertaken (after initial exploration by Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd), in conjunction with then partners, Texas Gulf of the USA. Mrs Rinehart became Executive Chairman of Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd (HPPL) and the HPPL Group of companies in March 1992.
Since becoming Executive Chairman, and after entering the Iron Ore (Hope Downs) State Agreement in December 1992, the Hancock Group has explored and undertaken a pre-feasibility study of Hope Downs, and commenced a bankable feasibility study. Mrs Rinehart was awarded “Deal of the Year” at the 2006 Diggers and Dealers Forum for the 50:50 Joint Venture with RTIO at Hope Downs, which is now producing two mines and undertaking further development work.
In 1992, after undertaking the first exploration field trip (together with Chief Geologist, Richard Paquay), Mrs Rinehart decided HPPL should apply for the Roy Hill 1 tenements, which were granted in 1993. HPPL has extensively drilled this low phosphorous resource and proven in excess of one billion tons to JORC specification (cut off 55% FE) and is currently funding a bankable feasibility study after completing a positive pre-feasibility study on the Roy Hill 1 project, a project that is potentially the largest undeveloped marra mamba deposit in Australia (outside of the majors). HPPL is currently in the process of seeking partners to develop this major resource.
In 1993 Mrs Rinehart also decided HPPL should apply for the Alpha coal tenements in Queensland. An extensive exploration program, together with completing a positive pre feasibility study has since been undertaken by HPPL, and a JORC reserve well in excess of two billion tonnes of good quality thermal coal, low in sulphur and low in ash, has been identified. HPPL is currently in the process of seeking partners to develop this major resource, together with commencing the bankable feasibility study, planning (subject to all Government approvals) for a 30 mtpa mine (which would be Australia’s largest thermal coal mine).
Mrs Rinehart has also invested in and progressed the adjacent Kevin’s Corner thermal coal tenement, which also contains in excess of two billion tonnes, completed a positive pre feasibility study and proving a JORC resource well in excess of two billion tonnes of good quality thermal coal, low in sulphur and low in ash, has been identified. Subject to all Government approvals, it is also planned in the bankable feasibility study that this mine will produce after ramp up at 30 mtpa – again larger than any thermal coal mine currently existing in Australia.
In 2007, Mrs Rinehart entered the Jacaranda Joint Venture Alliance, which has applied for additional tenements and holds tenements across Australia (Uranium, Lead, Zinc, Molybedum, Gold, Diamonds and Petroleum), and HPPL manages the exploration. Early indications are showing some extensive deposits.
Mrs Rinehart continues to oversee significant progress exploring, evaluating and expanding potentially world class mine developments in the Hancock Prospecting Group portfolio, together with an expanding property portfolio, and pastoral interests.
Mrs Rinehart has been honoured with:
• 2009 Commonwealth Bank Business Owner Award
• 2009 Telstra West Australian Business Woman of the Year
• 2009 Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year
• 2009 Australian Corporate Heroes Award (in recognition to an extraordinary contribution to the growth and development of Australian exports)
DIRECTOR
TAD WATROBA
Thirty years’ total experience in both open cut and underground mining, encompassing mining operations, mine planning, feasibility studies, project financial evaluation, negotiations with government and non-government organizations, business development, joint venture participation, project commissioning, exploration management, audits and other related activities.
Tad has worked in iron ore, manganese, gold, brown and black coal, oil shale, copper, zinc and lead and was employed by Bechtel and several small-to-medium sized gold companies prior to joining HPPL in 1991. Tad has broad and significant experience with mining projects in Australia, Papua New Guinea (Ok Tedi), China and New Zealand.
EXECUTIVE GENERAL MANAGER - CARBON STEEL MATERIALS & COAL
TIM CROSSLEY
Mr Crossley joined HPPL in 2009 in the position of Executive General Manager, Carbon Steel Materials and Coal, after extensive experience with BHP/B spanning across iron ore, manganese and coal.
Mr Crossley joined BHPBilliton in 1993 at its Goonyella Riverside operation in the Bowen basin working in the role of Senior Engineer, Environment and Civil. He was promoted to the position of Project Manager to develop the near by South Walker Creek PCI coal mine and then progressed to General Manager of the South Walker Creek mine when in full operation. In 2002 he was promoted to General Manager of the Groote Eylandt Mining Company (GEMCO). During his time at GEMCO he transformed GEMCO to a bottom Quartile cost producer while doubling production and establishing GEMCO as a benchmark Manganese operation both in scale and operating efficiency. In 2006 Mr Crossley was offered a promotion to the Position of Vice President Mining, BHPBilliton Iron Ore West Australia Operations. Mr Crossley was in this role for 14 months before being promoted in early 2007 to the position of President and Chief Operating Officer of BHPBilliton West Australia Iron Ore and held this senior position until leaving BHPBIO and joining the Hancock Group in 2009.
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER / COMPANY SECRETARY
JAY NEWBY
Chartered Accountant admitted to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia in 1988. Broad experience in corporate finance, accounting and tax, and mergers and acquisitions, specialising in the mining/resources and property/construction sectors both in Australia and South-East Asia.
CHIEF COMMERCIAL COUNSEL
TERRY WALSH
Extensive corporate, commercial and mining experience as a Corporate Counsel with Rio Tinto and prior to that as a Senior Associate with leading law firms in Perth and Sydney. Master of Laws.
MANAGING DIRECTOR – COAL
PAUL MULDER
Paul Mulder is Managing Director – Coal. He has been heading up the Alpha Coal Project since September 2007, his responsibilities have increased to include the Kevin’s Corner Coal Project in Queensland also.
Prior to joining Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd Paul worked in a variety of operating and management positions in the steel and resources industries. Paul commenced his career at BHP Steel subsequently transferring to other divisions in coal (BHP Mitsubishi Alliance) and iron ore (Western Australian Iron Ore). Paul also worked for BIS Industries (formerly part of Brambles) in the provision of contract mining services.
Paul is a Materials Engineer and has an MBA with approximately 15 years of operational and commercial experience.