Rinehart’s Hancock weighs $3.3 billion iron ore mine project
Hancock acquired a 51% interest in the Mt Bevan project from Legacy Iron Ore Ltd. and Hawthorn Resources.
Australia’s 30% iron ore and coal profit tax is projected to add $824 million in government revenue this fiscal year, down from the October forecast of $2.2 billion.
Over the next four years, the mining tax is seen adding $3.7 billion less in revenue than previously forecast.
The downgrade is bad news for Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s hopes of re-election this September as tax revenue decline across the board has already caused the ruling Labor party to give up its promise of a balanced budget.
Australia’s Green party is using the downgrade to push for higher mining industry taxes.
Sources: The Australian; David Fickling and Jason Scott reporting for Bloomberg
