Sinosteel Australia Pty Ltd has been part of the Western Australian business community for the past twenty seven years as a joint venture partner with Rio Tinto Iron Ore, operating the Channar iron ore mine in the Pilbara region of  Western Australia. The Channar Mining Joint Venture (CMJV) was signed on the 16th November 1987, which at the time was the largest investment ever made between China and Australia. Today, it still remains one of the largest Chinese overseas investment projects.  The project received considerable attention and strong support from both the Australian and Chinese Governments.

The CMJV established the market for the stable supply of Australian iron ore in the Chinese steel industry, enhancing the development of China’s metallurgical industries which have powered the economic development of China.  It has also contributed significantly to the infrastructure and the iron ore mining industry in the Pilbara region.