@SAS1problems at cockatoo island are associated with mining...

@SAS1
problems at cockatoo island are associated with mining below sea level. The Seawall failed at one of the main pits approximately 18 months ago. Is currently being rebuilt. Cost the owners a lot of money due to loss of income etc.
BHP? I think originally mined all the areas down to sealevel from 1950 - 1980 then flogged it due to difficulties of mining below sealevel.
What makes the ore so attractive is the high iron content. Chinese steel mills are now using very low % iron from various sources including indian Iron ore. As such they need the higher % ore to blend.
I believe the band of high % fe ore that runs through Cockatoo also runs through Irvine.