By the late 20th century the company had become the fourth largest iron ore exporter in the world with expansion underway which would have made it equal third.

In the case of Western Mining it was the Olympic Dam copper, gold and uranium deposit, for North it was Robe River Iron.

In 2000 a bidding war for North broke out when Rio Tinto launched a hostile takeover at $3.80 a share.

[4] This was topped by an Anglo American bid of $4.20, Rio Tinto responded with a successful offer of $4.75 per share.

[5][6][7] The company was delisted and after the takeover, Rio Tinto integrated most of North's assets into its own operations, but sold others such as the Northparkes.