Western Australian mining magnate Gina Rinehart's company, Hancock Prospecting, has been awarded at this year's Diggers and Dealers Conference for its Roy Hill iron ore project in the Pilbara. Each year the mining conference in Kalgoorlie awards companies and individuals making a positive contribution to the resources sector.

Hancock Prospecting took out the Dealer Award for its ability to secure financial partners, to develop the Roy Hill iron ore project; while still being able to maintain majority ownership of the operation.

Meanwhile, new WA miner Sandfire Resources has won the Digger Award for the development of its DeGrussa copper-gold project near Meekatharra.

Sandfire, which started mining the site earlier this year, has been awarded for its ability to take the project from discovery through to production in less than three years.

Source - ABC Net

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