1643
Capt. William Mynors
Christmas Island named by Capt. William Mynors, who sailed past on Christmas Day.
Best viewed in landscape.
1872
Phosphate Deposits Identified
John Murray on the Challenger Expedition identifies potential phosphate deposits on Christmas Island.
1897
Christmas Island Phosphate Mining Company
John Murray and Andrew Clunies-Ross form the Christmas Island Phosphate Mining Company (CIPCO); the Crown grants them a 99-year lease.
1900
The First Shipment
The first phosphate shipment leaves the Island. The Island is annexed into the Straits Settlement of Singapore.
1942
31 Mar – Japanese Invasion
The Japanese invade the Island, led by Commander Ando. They try to resume the export of phosphate and get the Asian workforce back to work. The Europeans are imprisoned and put into work gangs.
1942
17 Nov – The Nissei Maru
The Japanese load bagged phosphate onto the Nissei Maru. The ship was hit with allied torpedoes and sank immediately, five men were drowned.
1943
Dec – The Japanese Leave
Japanese announce they are leaving Christmas Island. 60% of the population mostly the Asian workforce (750 people) are sent to camps in Surabaya.
1946
Mining Recommences
CIPCO recommences mining. The Island comes under the jurisdiction of the colony of Singapore.
1948
31 Dec – CIPCO Sold
CIPCO is sold to the Australian and New Zealand governments in partnership with the British Phosphate Commission (BPC).
1949
Mine Expansion Program
BPC commences expansion program to rebuild and modernise infrastructure and bring additional workers from Cocos, Malaysia and Singapore.
1974
1100 Workers Protest
Poor working conditions and wages and the dismissal of interpreter Tee Boon How leads to a demonstration by 1100 workers. This is the beginning of a movement to create a Trade Union.
1975
The Union Movement
The Union of Christmas Island Workers (UCIW) is formed. Michael Grimes becomes the first secretary.
1979
Campaign for Equity & Justice
Gordon Bennett arrives as the new Secretary of the UCIW. He leads a campaign for equity and justice for the Asian workforce.
1980
The Sweetland Commission
Sweetland Commission into the viability of the Christmas Island phosphate industry.
1981
July – Under New Management
Phosphate Mining Christmas Island Ltd (PMCI) a Commonwealth statutory authority begins to manage the mining operations.
1987
The UCIW rejects mining of the Western Shore Terrace as South Point for environmental reasons.
Dec – The Commonwealth Government close the Phosphate Mine on Christmas Island.
1990
A Big Win for the Island
After a 3 year struggle, the UCIW and the Community win the right to reopen the mine on Christmas Island. Phosphate Resources Ltd is born.
1991
A Tragic Passing
Gordon Bennett tragically passed away.
1997
Indian Ocean Oil Co
Subsidiary Indian Ocean Oil Company (IOOC) is established to manage the fuel supply on Christmas Island.
1997
21 Year Lease
New Mining Lease Signed for 21 years.
2009
CI Maintenance Services is Born
Subsidiary Christmas Island Maintenance Services (CIMS), the largest services company located in the Indian Ocean Territories, is established to create more jobs on the island.
2010
Phosphate Resources Malaysia
Phosphate Resources Malaysia is established on 11 March 2010 to supply rock phosphate across the South East Asia region.
2011
Cheekah-Kemayan Plantations
Purchased the Cheekah-Kemayan Plantations in Malaysia.
2013
Mining Until 2034
New Mining Lease Signed until 2034.
2019
Government Facilities Management Contract
Christmas Island Maintenance Services awarded 3-year contract with the Department of Home Affairs for facilities management at the Christmas Island Detention Centre.
2020
PRL Shipping is Born
Purchased the MV Red Titan general cargo ship and created PRL Shipping to reduce shipping costs and provide a competitive freight service to Christmas Island.
2021
Acquisition of Kemoil SA
Purchased more than 50% stake in a percentage of KEMOIL SA. Which is an oil products trading company in Geneva.
2022
Acquisition of Liven Nutrients
PRL Group acquired 60% of the issued shares of Singapore-based fertiliser trading business Liven Nutrients Pte Ltd.
2022
IOOC achieves triple quality accreditation
Indian Ocean Oil Company achieves triple quality accreditation
2023
PRL Global is born
CI Resources (CIR) undergoes a rebranding to strategically align the company’s name with it diversification efforts.
PRL Global (PRG) represents the company’s increasingly global presence through its businesses in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe.