Gina Rinehart, Australia’s wealthiest individual, has faced a significant setback as a court has ruled in favor of the family of late mining innovator Peter Wright regarding the entitlement to substantial past and future royalties linked to valuable mining operations in the Pilbara region.

Justice Jennifer Smith dismissed all claims, including those from Mrs. Rinehart’s children and the descendants of Mr. Wright, concerning ownership interests in the Hope Downs iron ore mines and associated tenements. These assets are currently managed as a joint venture between Hancock Prospecting, owned by Ms. Rinehart, and Rio Tinto.

The ruling determined that both Hancock Prospecting and Rio Tinto share joint responsibility for making royalty payments to Wright Prospecting, the company representing Mr. Wright’s family. However, the court confirmed that Hancock Prospecting retains its 50 percent ownership stake in the Hope Downs operations.

In response to the ruling, Mrs. Rinehart’s company issued a statement expressing satisfaction with the outcome, which they described as a rejection of the “unfounded ownership claims” put forth by her children, John Hancock and Bianca Rinehart, as well as by Wright Prospecting Pty Ltd.