Business News

Western Australia is behind the mark when it comes to female leadership at ASX-listed companies, but gender diversity has improved on the boards of the nation’s top public companies.

Metro Mining shares were up 20 per cent after the bauxite hopeful announced the completion of a $38 million capital raising through Perth broking firm Argonaut.

Monadelphous Group has been awarded three contracts in the mining, energy and renewables sectors, to the value of $55 million.

Greens co-deputy leader Larissa Waters has resigned from the Senate after revealing she holds dual citizenship, just days after Scott Ludlam left federal parliament for the same reason.

Australian Road Express – a Perth-based transport subsidiary of Rivet Group (formerly known as McAleese Group) – has been put into the hands of receivers, leaving 180 jobs at risk.

John Van Der Wielen-chaired Kyckr announced to the ASX today that it has signed a deal with global information services giant Bloomberg to provide global business registry data for the data service’s customers.

Rio Tinto has slightly pared back expectations for full-year shipments of iron ore, as ongoing rail track maintenance work slows down its ability to export the steel making ingredient.

David Whitaker, founder of Thred, is stepping down as executive director but will remain with the company as a non-executive director.

Claremont-based biotech company PharmAust has announced a record year for its synthetic and medicinal chemistry subsidiary, and has flagged further growth in the year ahead.

Canning Vale-based Veem says it will meet its forecast net profit target of $4 million when it reveals its first full-year results as a listed company.

Legal appointments

Brian Simons has been appointed head of sales at AssetOwl. Mr  Simons has been in software sales for 10 years.

A Canadian company has entered into an agreement to acquire Perth-based Cobalt One under an all-scrip deal that values the target at about $63 million.

A crowdfunding-matching platform that aims to bring live fundraising campaigns to the attention of those looking to invest.

Kidman Resources’ stock stock fell for a second consecutive day, despite the company seeking to quell investor unease around its joint venture agreement with a Chile-based lithium producer.

The state government has awarded Crothers Construction a $15.7 million contract to upgrade John Willcock College in Geraldton, which will be providing education for more year groups from 2019.

A new report has highlighted the importance small, medium and large Western Australian businesses place on digital marketing, and the challenges they face.

Subiaco-based software company K2fly has made its first acquisition since listing on the ASX last year, announcing today the purchase of a local specialist data collaboration company that counts the state's three biggest iron ore miners as its clients.

Poseidon Nickel and Aphrodite Gold have agreed to form a jointly-owned company to own Poseidon’s processing facilities at its Black Swan nickel operation and Aphrodite’s nearby gold tenements.

Chris Els has resigned as company secretary of Danakali. The company has appointed Melissa Chapman and Catherine Grant-Edwards as joint company secretaries.

The corporate watchdog has made an example out of Kwickie Investments – which is run by the founder of failed music streaming service Guvera – over the misuse of the ‘sophisticated investor’ status.

Mining contractor Barminco will continue providing its services to Western Areas’ Flying Fox and Spotted Quoll nickel mines under a $236 million contract extension.

Prosperity Resources has granted managing director and chair Mohammed Munshi four months leave of absence to attend to personal matters unrelated to the activities and his role in the company.

A new Perth-based gold and copper-focused exploration company has announced plans to raise up to $6 million by way of an initial public offering and list on the ASX.

Swift Networks has announced the acquisition of a Sydney-based company for $6 million, tapping investors and entering into a debt facility with Bankwest to fund the deal.

Egan Street Resources has promoted Lindsay Franker from founding chief operating officer to a newly created role of executive director, operations.

A Perth-based exploration company in the process of acquiring lead and silver assets in the Murchison region has announced plans to undertake a $6 million initial public offering and list on the ASX.

West Perth-based Platinum Mortgage Securities has entered into a products sale agreement with La Trobe Financial, following a transfer of funds between the two businesses last year.

Gerry Kaczmarek has been appointed chief financial officer and company secretary of Troy Resources. Mr  Kaczmarek held the same positions at Troy from 1998 to 2008.

The Western Australian Building Commission is expanding its audit of aluminium composite panels following the Grenfell Tower fire in London last month.

Metals X has released an updated definitive feasibility study for an expansion of its half-owned Renison tailings retreatment project (also known as Rentails) in Tasmania, which is expected to cost $205 million.