ABOUT HCPL
Hancock Timeline
1909 - 1947
1909 - Langley George Hancock born in Perth to George and Lillian Hancock.1916 - Hope Margaret Nicholas born in Perth to James and Ann Nicholas.
1947 - Langley George Hancock and Hope Margaret Nicholas married.
1952 - Nov 22
Discovery flight with wife, Hope, whilst flying from Pilbara mine to Perth.1953
Returning to discovery area, landing in spinifex and collecting samples for more than 50 miles and sending to Perth for analysis.After analysis, realisation he had found an iron ore zone of possible world significance.
1953 - 1960
Lobbied for lifting of iron ore export embargo by Federal Government. Continued exploration.Established committee for North West development with pastoralist friends Frank Thompson and Bill Leslie and proposed and lobbied for tax incentives, with the provision that monies be invested in the North West.
1960
Export embargo on iron ore lifted.Lobbied for State embargo on pegging of iron ore to be lifted.
1960 - 1961
Lobbied for lifting of State embargo on pegging for iron ore together with partner E.A Wright of WPPL, endeavoured to interest steel mills and mining houses in investing in Hancock's Pilbara discoveries.Pegging of iron ore areas discovered by Lang Hancock with team on ground headed by cousin Bill Newman. Hosted the visit of Val Duncan, Chairman of Rio Tinto, London, and other Senior Executives.
1961 - 1962
Together with E.A Wright, negotiated agreements with Rio Tinto for the purpose of further development of Hancock's discoveries. Hosted the visit of Tom Price of Kaiser Steel, USA, which brought the involvement of Kaiser Steel into what became the new company, "Hamersley Iron".Increased exploration efforts with Dr Bruno Campana of Rio Tinto Australia, and mapping of the entire Hamersley Iron Province. Identified and named "Campana's Horizon", also known as "Bruno's Band".
1962
Hosted the visit of Dr Muraoka and staff from Marubeni Japan, utilising Hancock's "Hamersley Station" as headquarters for Marubeni's, and Hancock's continuing exploration efforts. The exploration report of Dr Muraoka brought the Japanese Steel industry's interest into the Pilbara.1963 - 1964
Arranged and hosted the visit of the world's then richest man, Daniel K. Ludwig, and interested him in presenting a cost saving proposal to the West Australian government for the building of a large central port and unified railway system to service the entire Pilbara iron ore region, to enhance the region's competitiveness.Conducted extensive exploration of the Pilbara province.
1969 - 1971
Hosted the visit of Dr Edward Teller to the Pilbara for the purpose of investigating the peaceful use of nuclear explosives to more economically mine ore, construct dams, and construct a deep water port near Ronsard. Brought Hamersley Iron executives to Paraburdoo and interested them in developing Paraburdoo, after initial ground samples taken by Lang Hancock's cousin, Bill Newman. Sought to interest Texas Gulf of USA, CSR, MIM, Utah and Consolidated Goldfields into participation in Hancock's and Hanwright's exploration teams.1969
Established with WPPL the newspaper "The Sunday Independent".1970 - 1971
Hanwright explored with the co-operation of Mr Hancock's brothers-in-law Jim and Bill Nicholas, and friend Don Rhodes, the West Angelas, which Mr Hancock named after E.A. Wright's daughter, but these areas were then confiscated by the West Australian government, and later given to a competing company.1970 - 1971
HPPL and WPPL established with Texas Gulf the Iron Ore (Rhodes Ridge) Agreement with the West Australian government. WPPL established with Texas Gulf the Iron Ore (Wittenoom) Agreement with the West Australian government.HPPL and WPPL established with MIM, Utah and Consolidated Goldfields the Iron Ore (McCameys) Agreement with the West Australian government.
1970's
Lang Hancock commenced exploration in Queensland's Galilee Basin.
1973
Paraburdoo commenced production.1974
Acquired HPPL Perth headquarters in Nedlands and named the building "The Angelas" as a reminder of the importance of prospecting, together with the security of title (later sold both). Established the nationwide "National Miner" newspaper.Gained jet pilot's license at age 65, acquired first Lear jet and utilised for overseas visits to promote Australian mineral developments and to show executives, politicians and others the Pilbara's potential.
1975
Arranged and hosted the visit of close friend, and Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen and party to the Pilbara, and promoted the establishment of a railway line across Australia linking the Pilbara's iron to Queensland's coking coal.After years of effort with Marandoo, and completing the feasibility study, received 'Letter of Interest' from Nippon Steel, allowing Nippon Steel to participate up to 1/3 in the Marandoo project.
1976
Acquired HPPL Sydney headquarters at Circular Quay, and named the building "Hope House", in honour of his wife, Hope Hancock (sold prior to Mr Hancock's passing).1979
Wrote and released first book "Wake Up Australia" (launched on June 10 by Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen and his daughter Gina, in his absence due to ill health) on "Wake Up Australia" jumbo jet tour of Australia's mineral assets and potential.1987
Achieved government support for infrastructure sharing for the McCamey's project by way of a State Agreement with BHP to allow third parties to access their railway.1989 - 1991
First ore to be mined at McCamey's scree.
1990
Channar commenced production.Sold Marandoo to RTIO entity.
1992
Lang Hancock passed away unexpectedly, despite strong will to live.Sold McCamey's to DHR.
Brockman commenced production. December - HPPL achieved the Iron Ore (Hope Downs) Agreement with the state government.
First field exploration of Roy Hill by Gina Rinehart and Chief Geologist Richard Paquay.
1993 - 1994
1993 - Gina Rinehart hosted visit by Premier Richard Court and party to Pilbara. June 10, a new planet, discovered by Dr Candy named in permanent honour of Lang Hancock.1994 - Roy Hill tenements granted. Founded Hancock Family Medical Foundation Inc. Marandoo commenced production.
1997
Pre-feasibility study for Hope Downs finalised and bankable feasibility study commenced.Gina Rinehart hosted visit of Chairman of Iscor of South Africa and senior executives to Pilbara.
1998 - 1999
1998 - Announcement of participation of Iscor Limited to co-develop the Hope Downs Iron Ore Project.1999 - Naming of Hancock Range in the Pilbara in honour of Lang Hancock and the Hancock family, and their pioneering history in the North West region.
2000 - 2001
2000 - Established program with the Notre Dame University to commence the Hancock Free Enterprise lectures.2001 - Opening of the Mining Hall of Fame in Kalgoorlie for prospectors and miners and establishment of permanent display in recognition of Lang Hancock's contribution in the Prospectors and Mining Galleries.
2002
Technical Feasibility Study for Hope Downs finalised.Fifty year commemorative plaque and rock sculpture established in conjunction with the Perth City Council.
