Australian Gina Rinehart has been named the world richest woman and is well on her way to becoming the richest person in the world.

Gina Rinehart set to become the world's richest person | Perth Now

"GINA Rinehart is on par to become the richest person on the planet after new research revealed the Perth iron ore magnate's future projects will supercharge her earnings.

The reluctant millionaire Gina Rinehart is on her way to becoming the richest person on the planet, according to new research by financial corporation Citigroup.

The West Australian iron ore magnate made history last month when she became the first woman to top the BRW rich list after her fortune doubled to $10.3 billion over the past year.

But, new analysis by Citigroup suggests the 57-year-old could one day become the world’s richest person as the head of Hancock Prospecting.

She has three projects in the top 10, the same number as Rio Tinto. BHP Billiton has none.

The projects are:

* Roy Hill iron ore in WA, which is scheduled to start production in 2014, building to a rate of 55 million tonnes a year, and valued at 688,888 tonnes of copper equivalent.
* Alpha Coal in Queensland, also scheduled to start in 2014 at a rate of 30 million tonnes of coal and year – rated as 563,000 tonnes of copper, and
* Kevin’s Corner coal in Queensland, scheduled to start in 2013 also at a rate of 30 million tonnes of coal – and also rated as 563,000 tonnes of copper."



Looks like the Australian mining boom isn't over yet.

I wonder if I should get my gold pan and pick out of storage

If you have the choice, become a miner. Their salaries are skyrocketing these days. But the family life is very very tough. Weeks on, long days, dangerous work. But 6 figures is the norm and not exception.

So what exactly did you mean by a miner? technical or labour stuff?

Mines need more than just miners - engineers, geologists, resource planners, catering staff, truck drivers, mechanics, electricians, doctors and OSH specialists. There's quite a spin-off.

If you search for fly in fly out jobs you'll see the variety of jobs that are on offer in mining communities. However as Amaslam said family life can be tough since you are away from home for weeks at a time, so that has to be balanced against income.

Cheers,
Karen

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If I were a school leaver looking to earn some cash before going to Uni I'd be looking at it seriously.

My husband's female cousin got her truck driver's licence a good few years ago so she could bring in extra income when the family business took a downturn. In her younder days she'd be off up there in a shot, some truckies are earning >100,000

She is not the richest woman yet, is she?

I notice the three projects you quoted still have to start, with uncertain futures, one cannot bank on the possible or probable income yet?

Where does Oprah Winfrey and the author of the Harry Potter books --- cannot recall her name just now --- feature in the list of wealthy women?

When they do she will be the richest person. In the meantime she's the top woman in the world on the BRW list.

Not sure where the other two get placed.

apparently she's currently number 12 World’s Richest Women 2011 – Forbes Richest Women ‹ The Richest People In The World 2011

neither Oprah nor JK Rowling appear in the top 20 it seems!!

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IF they do

& she's not the richest woman in the world - not according to Forbes - which is where BRW gets its info from it seems


she's richest in Aus

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