EX-99.(a)

Level 11
The Quadrant
1 William Street
Perth 6000
Western Australia
GPO Box W2017
Perth, 6001
Tel: 61 8 9426 3333
Fax: 61 8 9426 3344

The Announcements Officer
Australian Stock Exchange (Sydney) Limited
Level 10
20 Bond Street
SYDNEY NSW 2001

Please find attached Portman’s Quarterly Report for the period ended 30 September 2005.

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Commissioning of infrastructure for 8mtpa production scheduled for 1^st Quarter 2006.

Perth, WA – October 27, 2005 – Portman Limited (ASX: PMM) today reported a record third-quarter 2005 unaudited net income of $25.6 million or 14.6 cents per share. (All per-share amounts are “diluted.”). This compares with net income of $8.7 million or 5.0 cents per share in the third quarter of 2004. Net income before transaction costs was $72.0 million or 41.0 cents per share for the nine months of 2005 versus net income of $25.9 million or 14.7 cents per share in 2004.


	(In Millions Except Per Share)
	Third Quarter				Nine Months Ending
	2005		2004		2005			2004
Income before transaction costs:
Amount	$	25.6	$	8.7	$	72.0		$	25.9
Cents per share		14.6		5.0		41.0			14.7
Expenses related to the transaction after tax:
Amount		—		—		(5.3	)		—
Cents per share		—		—		(3.0	)		—
Net Income:
Amount	$	25.6	$	8.7	$	66.7		$	25.9

Cents per share		14.6		5.0		38.0			14.7

The increase in income before transaction costs of $16.9 million in the third quarter and $46.1 million for the nine months was principally due to higher sales margins. Sales margins increased $23.4 million in the third quarter and $66.4 million for the nine months, primarily due to the 71.5 percent increase in iron ore prices and slightly higher sales volume.

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Sales revenues increased $45.9 million in the third quarter and $107.3 million for the nine months, as the full effect of the price increase was realized. Partially offsetting was increased production costs, reflecting increased mining costs and higher royalties.

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Sales volume in the third quarter of 2005 was 1.7 million tonnes and 4.7 million tonnes for the nine months, which represented a 0.2 million tonne increase for the third quarter and a 0.3 million tonne increase for the nine months versus the like periods in 2004. Portman continues to forecast total-year sales of approximately 6.6 million tones.

At September 30, 2005, Portman had 10.0 million tonnes of iron ore in inventory compared with 10.5 million tonnes at December 31, 2004 and 10.7 million tonnes at September 30, 2004. Although production schedules are subject to change, Portman expects to operate at capacity for the balance of the year and is forecasting full year production of 6.4 million tones.

Cleveland-Cliffs’ purchased a controlling interest in Portman in the first half of the year and its ownership of Portman is slightly more than 80 percent.

At September 30, 2005, Portman had $60.8 million of cash and cash equivalents versus $17.8 million at 31 December 2004. The $43.0 million increase in liquid assets primarily reflected the favourable earnings. Portman’s previously announced expansion project, increasing production capability at Koolyanobbing from 6.0 to 8.0 million tonnes is being funded from internally generated cash flow.

Richard Mehan, Managing Director stated that as iron ore shippers head into 2006 price negotiations the market remains tight with additional demand expected into the new year.

In regard to the expansion to 8mtpa, while some delays have been experienced, the production ramp up is scheduled during the first quarter of 2006.

All results provided in this release have prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standards (IAS) which Portman was required to adopt from 1 January 2005. The 2004 results have been restated to be in accordance with IAS for comparative purposes.


	Actual		Actual		Actual
	Sept Qtr 2005		YTD 2005		Sept Qtr 2004
Koolyanobbing Iron Ore Project
Waste: *(bcm)*
Koolyanobbing		412,878		685,522		693,569
Mt Jackson		366,718		865,935		185,207
Windarling		1,500,503		4,205,754		441,069
Total Waste		2,280,099		5,757,211		1,319,845
Ore Mined: *(wmt)*
Koolyanobbing		300,374		505,229		167,205
Mt Jackson		697,246		1,872,544		310,538
Windarling		607,410		2,187,863		450,241
Total Ore Mined		1,605,030		4,565,636		927,984
Ore Processed: *(wmt)*
Lump		785,164		2,201,808		668,944
Fines		735,422		2,136,154		678,346
Total Ore Processed		1,520,586		4,337,962		1,347,290
Ore Railed: *(wmt)*
Lump		784,748		2,139,926		677,673
Fines		740,949		2,112,652		682,967
Total Ore Railed		1,525,697		4,252,578		1,360,640
Ore Shipped: *(wmt)*
Lump		819,328		2,200,836		718,183
Fines		775,200		2,103,802		717,901
Total Ore Shipped		1,594,528		4,304,638		1,436,084

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Expansions of the crushing and screening facilities and railroad sidings are scheduled for January 2006.

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Sufficient new ore wagons will be delivered by end of 2005 and permit the operation of 4 x 126 wagon trains with annual capacity of 8mt.


	Actual		Actual		Actual


	Sept Qtr 2005		YTD 2005		Sept Qtr 2004


Cockatoo Island Iron Ore Project


Waste: (bcm)		135,485		385,897		53,230


Ore Mined (wmt)		292,571		777,301		133,140


Ore Produced (wmt)		322,187		835,634		158,257


Ore Shipped (wmt)		271,103		798,984		148,567

Shipments increased slightly during the September Quarter. The project now targets an average of 2.5 ships per month.

The Koolyanobbing project areas of Mt Jackson, Windarling and Bungalbin have been the primary focus of exploration activity during the quarter. Metallurgical test work on samples of low grade mineralisation from Cockatoo Island were also conducted.

Geological mapping at the Bungalbin Central Prospect was conducted to verify historic BHP data and to detail smaller mineralisation occurrences not recorded in the earlier mapping. Reconnaissance mapping for outcrop mineralisation along the Windarling Peak BIF unit was completed with no significant occurrences encountered.

Infill and step-out reverse circulation drill programmes were conducted at the Mt Jackson J1 and the Windarling W1 deposits. A total of 62 drill holes for 8,746 meters were completed at these deposits during the reporting period.

The J1 Deposit is the largest resource in the Koolyanobbing project area, currently estimated at approximately 31.6mt @ 60.28 Fe October 2004. The 2005 J1 drill programme is aimed at increasing the confidence in the current resource estimate and was completed during the quarter. A total of 47 reverse circulation drill holes for 4,485 metres were completed during the reporting period. Assay results have been received for the complete programme with the best results during the reporting period being:

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65m@60.12% Fe, 0.147% P, 0.039% S, 1.33% Al₂O₃ and 1.56% SiO₂from 39m in drill hole J1RC175,

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88m @ 60.93% Fe, 0.080% P, 0.172% S, 0.74% Al₂O₃ and 1.15% SiO₂ from 30m in drill hole J1RC179,

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65m @ 60.95% Fe, 0.052% P, 0.155%S, 0.91% Al₂O₃ and 1.00% SiO₂ from 64m in drill hole J1RC180

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29m @ 60.16%Fe, 0.377% P, 0.113%S, 0.52% Al₂O₃ and 1.60% SiO₂from 85m in drill hole J1RC194,

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56m @ 61.96%Fe, 0.091% P, 0.052%S, 0.50% Al₂O₃ and 1.76% SiO₂from 25m in drill hole J1RC195,

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42m @ 59.47%Fe, 0.079% P, 0.083%S, 0.95% Al₂O₃ and 2.32% SiO₂from 18m in drill hole J1RC197, and

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64m @ 59.81%Fe, 0.052% P, 0.130%S, 1.11% Al₂O₃ and 2.51% SiO₂from 6m in drill hole J1RC220,

The ore zones at J1 are discontinuous due to significant cross faulting and possible tight isoclinal folding. This has produced 4 main mineralised zones separated by narrower and lower grade mineralisation. The overall mineralisation trends, based on drilling to date is similar to the original geologic model upon which the 2004 October resource estimate was based. Geologic remodelling of the deposit has been completed incorporating the 2005 drill results and Golder Associates has been commissioned to generate an updated J1 resource estimate classified in accordance with the Australasian Code for Reporting of Identified Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC, 2004). The updated resource estimate is scheduled for completion in the upcoming 4^th quarter.

The W1 drill program has targeted west and east extensions to the main zone of mineralisation. A total of 15 drill holes for 4,261 meters were completed with assays available at the end of the quarter for the first 5 holes. Best results to date include:

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57m @ 61.64% Fe, 0.199%P, 0.020% S, 1.18% Al₂O₃ and 2.31% SiO₂ from 33m in W1RC059,

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31m @ 63.16% Fe, 0.106%P, 0.018% S, 0.38% Al₂O₃ and 2.01% SiO₂ from 70m in W1RC060 and

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33m @ 61.45% Fe, 0.172%P, 0.022% S, 0.28% Al₂O₃ and 4.75% SiO₂ from 78m in W1RC061.

An updated geologic model for the W1 deposit will be generated in the upcoming 4^th quarter following receipt of the remaining assay information.

Additional exploration tenements wee acquired during the reporting period. Two new exploration licences were granted to Portman in the Perrinvale area. Extensive outcropping of BIF occurs in this area. In the Mt Finnerty area, an iron ore joint venture agreement with Reed Resources commenced.

The information in this report that relates to Exploration Results, Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves is based on information compiled by Mr R G Graber, who is a Member of the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG), a ‘Recognised Overseas Professional Organization’ included in a list promulgated by the ASX from time to time. Mr Graber is a full-time employee of the company. Mr Graber has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2004 Edition of the “Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’. Mr Graber consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.

3. FOREIGN EXCHANGE HEDGING
Total residual foreign exchange cover for the Portman Group at 30 Sept 2005 was US$297.5M.

Portman Group’s current Foreign Exchange Policy, for all hedging, provides for;

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Up to 12 months maturity: Uncommitted Hedging: Minimum 50% Maximum 90% of forecast USD sales Committed Hedging: Maximum 90% of forecast USD sales

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12 to 24 months maturity: Uncommitted Hedging: Minimum 25% Maximum 75% of forecast USD sales Committed Hedging: Maximum 30% of forecast USD sales

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24 to 26 months maturity: Uncommitted Hedging: Minimum 15% Maximum 50% of forecast USD sales Committed Hedging: Maximum 15% of forecast USD sales


Directors
John Brinzo		Chairman

Richard Mehan		Managing Director/CEO

David Gunning		Director

Don Gallagher		Director

William Calfee		Director

Michael Perrott		Independent Director

Malcolm Macpherson		Independent Director

Anticipated release dates for information in 2005 and other important anticipated dates are as follows:


		Sept Qtr 2005		2005		Sept Qtr 2004
Koolyanobbing Project	$		893,416		2,259,358		790,138

Cockatoo Island	$		17,356		49,892		7,602


Year	2005		2006		2007		2008		TOTAL 2005-8
Face Value US$M		51.5		142.0		79.5		24.5		297.50

Weighted Avg “Worst” Case Hedge Rate		0.7415		0.7430		0.7628		0.7467		0.7482


2005 December Quarterly Report		31 January 2006

2005 Annual Report		Mid March 2006