Company: Hancock Prospecting
Revenue: $4.45 billion
Mining magnate Gina Rinehart jumps back to the top position on SmartCompany’s Top Female Entrepreneurs list this year, after her company Hancock Prospecting achieved annual revenue of $4.45 billion in the 2017 financial year, up from $1.72 billion the year before.
Hancock Prospecting also doubled its net profit to $1.07 billion last financial year, rewarding shareholders (primarily Rinehart) with a combined $767 million dividend. Hancock’s income was boosted thanks to a recovery in iron ore prices, which last year saw Rinehart’s position in the SmartCompany list drop.
This year, Forbes reports Rinehart’s personal wealth is estimated to be $22.4 billion. According to Fairfax, Rinehart’s personal wealth could fund government expenditure for 11 days.
Meanwhile, Rinehart’s company continues its interest in Australian sport, hosting the 2018 Australian Swimming Trials for the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in February.