Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Iron Ore has cut jobs at its Pilbara operations, approximately one year after merging its Roy Hill and Atlas Iron businesses into a single entity.
The mining company has declined to specify the exact number of positions affected, though media reports from industry sources indicate the reductions number in the hundreds.
A spokesperson for Hancock Iron Ore confirmed the job losses, attributing the decision to the completion of its annual life-of-mine planning process.
The review identified opportunities to optimise mining, processing, and blending activities across its operations.
The company stated that the latest planning iteration extends the life of the mine by 10 years while enabling a reduction in waste mining.
The company noted that the changes require a reduction in mining activity at the Roy Hill mine, though it expects to maintain a production rate above 63 million tonnes per annum for the Roy Hill system.
The combined operation, unified under the Hancock Iron Ore banner in July 2025, produces more than 70 million tonnes of ore annually and employs approximately 5,000 people.
While some reports have suggested up to 500 jobs could be cut, this figure has not been independently verified.
A company spokesman has reportedly characterised the 300 to 500 figure as inaccurate, with other sources suggesting more than 150 roles are affected.
The company has stated it will work with all employees impacted by the restructuring.
The job reductions come as the iron ore producer navigates a challenging pricing environment.
Roy Hill generated a net profit of $1.8 billion for the 2025 financial year, down from a record $3.2 billion in the prior year, which the company attributed to softer iron ore prices and challenging weather conditions, including the impact of Cyclone Zelia.
Atlas Iron also experienced a significant profit decline, posting $260 million for FY2025 compared to $440 million the previous year.
Hancock Iron Ore is advancing new projects to extend its operational life, including the McPhee mine, which is expected to produce first ore in 2026.
The company also has the Mulga Downs project in development.
