AGO Up up and away, page-109

60Mt at $50/t to mine will cost a total of $3.0b over the life of the mine.

At the realised prices over the last 1/4 of $66 the sales price would be $3.96b therefore $960m profits over 6 years giving $160 of annual profit for an initial investment of around $50m, based on history $80 would be the likely estimate over the following 6 years which could increase returns.

Keep in mind that much like oil the large iron ore producers also have an interest in a certain level of price setting through management of supply.