Roy Hill and Atlas Iron are to join forces to become Hancock Iron Ore, bringing together both companies’ experience and combined strengths, the companies say.

Roy Hill is a major iron ore miner, shipping around 64 Mt/y of the steelmaking raw material to markets in Asia.

Atlas Iron was acquired by Hancock Prospecting in 2018, helping accelerating the company’s growth and profitability. It now mines and exports around 10 Mt/y of iron ore.

Combined the two companies have delivered more than A$11.5 billion ($7.5 billion) in royalties and taxes to governments, while also supporting many small, medium and large sized businesses through contracts for goods and services.

The name change is due to take effect on July 1.

Hancock Prospecting Executive Chairman, Gina Rinehart, said: “I’d like to thank our loyal partners and staff whose hard work and commitment have helped to build Roy and Atlas to enable us to evolve into Hancock Iron Ore, the best mining company in Australia.”