Dan Wilkie

Fresh from announcing plans to develop the Iron Valley mine in the Pilbara, Mineral Resources has become the eleventh Western Australian company in the S&P/ASX 100 Index.

Perth's residential property sector was one of three capital city markets to report a fall in value in February, industry analyst RP Data says.

Aurora Oil & Gas has acquired a large slice of highly-prospective oil and shale gas acreage in South Texas for $US117.5 million.

Global Construction Services has reported a $9.35 million interim profit in the face of a challenging market and uncertain economic conditions.

Balcatta-based engine technology group Orbital Corporation says it is on target to finish the year in the black after lodging a slim net profit for the six months to December 31.

PMI Gold Corporation is on the hunt for a new chairman, after Peter Buck announced his resignation following the company's collapsed merger deal with Canada's Keegan Resources.

BC Iron has reported an interim net profit of $7.7 million, a result it described as soft in light of recent optimism in the iron ore market.

Apartment development firm Finbar Group says it is on track to exceed its record full-year profit from 2012 after it lodged a $14.07 million net profit for the six months to December 31.

Engine and fuel technology group Orbital Corporation has sold a 12 per cent stake in its Synerject LLC fuel injection systems joint venture to partner Continental Corporation for $US6 million.

Northern Minerals has announced a $26.6 million capital raising plan to fund the development of its Browns Range heavy rare earths project in the Northern Territory.

Seven Western Australian business representative groups have come together in a united front against payroll tax, urging whichever party wins next month’s state election to “lift the tax on jobs”.

WHK Group, which owns accounting firm Crowe Horwath, is evaluating a merger proposal from SFG Australia, which owns accounting and financial planning firms including Western Pacific and Shadforth.

Property developer and fund manager Aspen Group says its review of operations is on track despite the company recording a statutory loss of $18.3 million for the half-year to December 31.

Engineering and construction contractor Decmil Group has continued its expansion into the Queensland market with an agreement to acquire Brisbane based Eastcoast Development Engineering.

Engineering and construction firm Monadelphous Group has won a $260 million contract with Rio Tinto, for works at the Western Turner Brockman iron ore development in the Pilbara.

Resolute Mining remains on target to produce more than 415,000 ounces of gold in FY2013, after lodging an 86 per cent jump in half-year net profit.

The mining industry has backed the Liberal Party’s pledge to invest $20 million to ensure the continued growth of the resources sector in Western Australia if it wins next month’s state election.

A Perth-based stockbroker has been sentenced to four years jail for defrauding clients out of more than $7.5 million.

Nickel miner Western Areas has delivered a slim interim profit in the face of a falling nickel price and continued strength in the Australian dollar.

Evolution Mining has announced a $40.7 million interim net profit, on the back of a 98 per cent jump in gold production.

Gold miner St Barbara has slumped to a net profit of $2.5 million for the six months to December 31, driven down by its acquisition of the Gold Ridge and Simberi mines in Papua New Guinea during th

Internet and communication technology group UXC Connect has won a $4.1 million contract to provide IP surveillance and security solutions for a major West Australian liquefied natural gas project.

Mermaid Marine has booked an 18 per cent jump in interim net profit, on the back of strong demand for the company’s vessel, supply base and slipway services from ofshore oil & gas projects in t

Neptune Marine has won a $6 million contract with Eni at the Blacktip gas field, 110 kilometres off the north coast in the Timor Sea.

The nation’s second largest internet service provider, iiNet, has reported a 122 per cent jump in net profit for the six months to December 31, on the back of increased earnings from its acquisitio

Diversified industrial group Schaffer Corporation has announced an interim net profit of $5.3 million, buoyed by a strong performance by its building materials division.

Engineering and construction group Ausenco has forecast further growth in 2013 after reporting a full year net profit of $41.4 million, a 57 per cent jump on the previous year.

THE City of Fremantle will hold an international design competition to appease the concerns of local residents over the architectural style of the planned $220 million redevelopment of Kings Square

Civil and mining contracting firm Brierty has reported a significant lift in net profit to lodge a third consecutive record half-year result.

Engineering and construction firm Decmil Group has lodged a net profit increase of 79 per cent for the half year ended December 31, shrugging off a slowdown across some of its operations.

Transportable housing manufacturer Fleetwood has confirmed an 81 per cent fall in half year net profit.

Drilling fluids and services firm Imdex has reported a 27 per cent drop in half year net profit, a result it says reflects challenging market conditions in the minerals sector.