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Gina Rinehart, Australia’s richest person, is putting $50 million into Lumitron Technologies, a firm based in California, to bring to market a high-resolution imaging system that can be used for both mineral processing and detecting cancer. The funding, announced on June 25, 2026, aims to commercialize Lumitron’s HyperView very high-energy electron beam technology, which the company says offers up to 1,000 times the resolution of traditional X-ray systems.

This imaging technology, designed for medical and industrial use, can help mining operations determine mineral composition, spot contaminants, and enable more selective processing of higher-grade ore. Rinehart noted that the system allows operators to focus on higher-value ore, boosting recovery rates while possibly cutting energy use and overall processing expenses.

Lumitron indicated the investment could grow to $100 million later in 2026, with Hancock Prospecting also securing a seat on the board. The deal advances Rinehart’s push into technologies tied to the critical minerals sector and reflects her ongoing support for breast cancer causes, inspired by the loss of her mother, Hope Rinehart, to the disease.

This move comes after Hancock Prospecting bought a $1 billion stake in Elon Musk’s SpaceX following its record-breaking initial public offering earlier in June 2026. Rinehart also has a direct stake in Tesla worth about $6.6 million and recently boosted Hancock’s investment in Arafura Rare Earths (ASX: ARU). Her holdings already include significant positions in rare earths producers like MP Materials (NYSE: MP), Lynas Rare Earths (ASX: LYC), and Brazilian Rare Earths (ASX: BRE), highlighting Hancock’s strategy of branching out from iron ore into critical minerals and related technologies.

As executive chair of Hancock Iron Ore, created through the merger of Roy Hill and Atlas Iron last year, Rinehart has deployed pink haul trucks, mining gear, and personal protective equipment across sites to promote breast cancer awareness and fundraising.