Rhodes Ridge (Rhodes Ridge Central), Weeli Wolli Creek Area, East Pilbara Shire, Western Australia, Australiai

Regional Level Types
Rhodes Ridge (Rhodes Ridge Central)	Ridge
Weeli Wolli Creek Area	Area
East Pilbara Shire	Shire
Western Australia	State
Australia	Country

Named after Pilbara prospector Don Rhodes.

A major undeveloped iron ore deposit 80 kilometres north-west of Newman. It has been known since at least 1972, but no mine has been developed yet at the site. The prospect was 50% owned by Rio Tinto, 25% by Hancock Prospecting and 25% by Wright Prospecting.

The deposit is potentially worth billions of dollars. Alas when large amounts of money are involved, sometimes friendships and business relationships are the casuality.

In 2008, junior explorer, Cazaly Resources, took Rio Tinto to the Mining Warden Court, claiming the company had left the deposit idle for over 35 years to the detriment of Western Australia. It had formed a partnership with Pilbara iron ore miner Fortescue, owned by squillionaire Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest, who had agreed to develop the mine should Cazaly be successful. There was a history between Cazaly and Rio. Shortly before, due to a clerical error or courier mix-up, Rio Tinto had failed to renew its licence over the Shovelanna iron ore prospect. Cazaly immediately claimed the lease. The mining warden eventually gave the lease back to Rio Tinto. Likewise, Cazaly was unsuccessful in gaining control over Rhodes Ridge.

Lang Hancock is credited for discovering and promoting the vast iron ore deposits of the Pilbara. During his life he had built-up considerable wealth from his mining interests. The widowed Lang aged 76 married Rose, his Filipino house maid, and a lady 40 years his junior. Some found Rose's displays of wealth ostentatious, but she was also alot of fun, holding many parties in their lavish 16 block mansion called Prix D' Amour modelled on the plantation mansion in the film Gone with the Wind. Rose also owned a collection of variously coloured dyed poodles. At one point a major search was launched in Perth for the green poodle, which had managed to escape from the mansion and was found a few days later at a nearby shopping centre.

Upon Lang's death, his step-daughter, Gina Reinhart, launched legal action and numerous requests for a coronial inquest into his death. This saga was to last two decades until 2003. Lang had taken out a restraining order against Rose shortly before his death accusing her of screeching at him incessantly for money. Eventually an inquest was granted, and a list of witnesses gave testimony about extraordinary details, including the organisation of hitmen, and other details which proved to be untrue. It came to light Gina had paid witnesses to give testimony, and some details given by them were untrue. The coroner found Lang had died of natural causes.

Meanwhile, a twelve year court battle took place over Rhodes Ridge between Hancock Prospecting and Wright Prospecting. The germination of this dispute started decades before. In 1984 an agreement was reached between Lang Hancock and his long time friend and business partner Peter Wright, to split the iron ore prospects they owned equally between them. This was an attempt to prevent littigation between their children.

Upon their death,Hancock's daughter Gina Reinhart took control of Hancock Prospecting, while the children of Peter Wright controlled Wright Prospecting. In 2012, Gina Reinhart was listed as the wealthiest woman in the world. Hancock Prospecting claimed the 25% stake in Rhodes Ridge owned by Wright Prospecting for itself, eventually losing the case in 2013. Further the court ordered Hancock Prospecting to hand over its stake to Wright Prospecting. After another dispute arose, there was an eight month delay, and Supreme Court demand before the transfer took effect. The prospect is now 50% owned Rio Tinto, and 50% owned Wright Prospecting.

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