The court upheld the claim that an agreement between Peter Wright and Lang Hancock signed in the 1980s entitled the Wright family to a share of royalties from the Rio Tinto-Hancock Prospecting joint venture project. Justice Jennifer Smith dismissed a claim from two of Gina Rinehart's own children, John and Bianca, who argued they were owed a greater share of the wealth from Hope Downs mines, and Wright Prospecting was unsuccessful in claiming an equity stake in other Hancock projects. Jay Newby, Executive Director of Hancock Prospecting, said the Supreme Court decision confirmed the company's rightful ownership of Hope Downs and East Angelas mines, and he stated the court had firmly rejected the baseless ownership claims of Wright Prospecting and Rinehart's children, John and Bianca.
Newby added that the company welcomed the court's rejection of Wright Prospecting's claim to a volume royalty, and he said the remaining claims amount to about $4 million a year for DFD Rhodes and about $14 million per year for Wright Prospecting. The final amount to be paid will be determined in another trial, and the decision may be appealed. Newby said Hancock Prospecting would consult its partner Rio Tinto over the payments due, and a Rio Tinto spokesperson said they acknowledge the decision of the court and will now fully consider the judgment in detail.