Australia's richest person must share part of her mining fortunes, court rules

The legal battle centered on Hope Downs, one of Australia's largest iron ore projects, which is jointly operated by global mining giant Rio Tinto and Rinehart's company, Hancock Prospecting. The court heard that Rinehart's father, Lang Hancock, and his business partner, Peter Wright, had an agreement to manage their joint interests.

Justice Jennifer Smith ruled that while Rinehart retains the mining rights, half of the 2.5% royalties paid by Rio Tinto to Hancock Prospecting for Hope Downs belongs to the Wright family. Additionally, a claim for royalties from Hope Downs by the family of late engineer Don Rhodes was partially granted. Claims by two of Rinehart's children, Bianca Rinehart and John Hancock, regarding the transfer of lucrative mining rights out of a family trust were denied.