Gina Rinehart goes big on copper with $186m Ecuador play

Gina Rinehart is doubling down on her investment in copper, agreeing to buy an 80 per cent stake in Ecuador’s Linderos project for up to $US120 million ($186.4 million).

Mrs Rinehart made her fortune – the Financial Review Rich List estimated her wealth at $37.8 billion last year – in iron ore. But she is increasingly investing in other resources, including rare earths and lithium, where she is attempting to acquire Azure Minerals.