Because the AACo owned the land between the Burwood estate and the Port of Newcastle the company refused to allow Mitchell to transport coal by rail across its land. Mitchell successfully lobbied the government again by having New South Wales' first Private Act of Parliament titled, Burwood and Newcastle Tramroad Act 1850, passed, that specifically allowed Mitchell to carry coal through AACo lands. Also in 1850, the coal mining monopoly ended with the peal of the Metallic Ores Act as promised by Governor Gipps, allowing copper to be brought into NSW duty-free. After the monopoly ended, Mitchell established the copper smelter in 1851 until its closure in 1872. In 1913, salvaged bricks from the site were used to cap some of the old mines. Company towns Stroud Carrington Hamilton Cattle stations Cattle grazing for the production of beef has long been a focus of the company. The managing director of AACo. from 1974 to 1988 was Trevor Schmidt, whose family also owned Alroy Downs Station in the Northern Territory. In 2012 the company entered an agreement with the Bunuba Cattle Company where AACo would manage the operations and the Bunuba would receive and annual rent and training opportunities and have complete access to their lands. The Bunuba hold the leases to Leopold Downs and Fairfield Downs stations, located north of Fitzroy Crossing. Together the properties occupy an area of and have a maximum carrying capacity of 20,000 head of cattle. AACo. acquired two properties in the Northern Territory, Welltree and La Belle Stations, in 2013 from R. M. Williams Agricultural Holdings. The properties had been bought for 27.1 million after R. M. Williams went into receivership. The company owns Anthony Lagoon, Austral Downs, Brunette Downs, Camfield and Delamere Station in the Northern Territory. In Queensland it owns Canobie, Headingly, South Galway, Dalgonally, Carrum, Glentana, Wylarah, Goonoo station and feedlot, Aronui feedlot and Wondoola stations. See also List of companies of Australia List of oldest companies in Australia Agriculture in Australia Avon Downs Station East Warrah Woolshed Windy Station Woolshed References Further reading Eardley, Gifford H., The Railways of the South Maitland Coalfields, Australian Railway Historical Society New South Wales Division, 1969, (P/B), National Library of Australia catalogue number AUS 69-2539 Bairstow Damaris A million pounds A million acres (4,000 km²). Self-published 2003 Australian Heritage magazine, Autumn 2009 External links Agriculture companies of Australia Companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange