What it does
The Iron Ore (Mount Bruce) Agreement Act 1972 (WA) ratifies a state agreement between the State of Western Australia and Mount Bruce Mining Pty Limited for the exploration, development, and treatment of iron ore in a defined area of the Pilbara region, and for the potential production of steel in Western Australia. The Act came into force in 1972 and has been amended by five subsequent variation agreements, the most recent ratified by the 2024 Variation Agreement (section 4E, inserted by No. 38 of 2024).
This is a "state agreement Act", a form of legislation distinctive to Western Australia and other Australian States in which Parliament ratifies a contractual arrangement between the Crown and a private developer for a major resource project. The Agreement itself is set out in the First Schedule. Its provisions override other Acts and laws where expressly stated. The Act and Agreement together give the Company secure long-term rights to mine iron ore, build infrastructure, and develop downstream processing facilities, in exchange for royalty payments and compliance with the State's development requirements.
The Act was made at a time when the Pilbara region's iron ore resources were being opened up for large-scale export. Mount Bruce Mining Pty Limited was associated with Hamersley Iron Pty Limited (the major Pilbara iron ore producer), and the Agreement was designed to enable an adjacent iron ore province to be developed in a coordinated way.