Dan Wilkie

The Environmental Protection Authority has given its conditional approval to two major infrastructure proposals for the Oakajee deepwater port project.

Western Australian tourism industry stalwart Ian Laurance and the Eco Beach Wilderness Retreat near Broome have taken out top honours at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.

Alinta Energy has withdrawn its application to the Takeovers Panel to limit security holder Coastal Capital International's voting rights at an extraordinary general meeting next week.

Environment Minister Bill Marmion has moved to ease community concerns over dust emissions at Cockburn Cement, which is spending $24 million on emissions reduction before March next year.

Nextgen Networks has completed a 426-kilometre fibre optic cable link from Perth to Geraldton, built as part of the $250 million National Broadband Network Regional Backbone Blackspots Program.

Perth-based NRW Holdings has announced it will expand its exposure in Queensland, after entering an $84 million deal with Comiskey Earthmoving.

Cape Lambert Resources has slipped to a $17.5 million loss in the half-year to December 31, after a busy period of asset acquisitions.

Equinox Minerals has reported an after tax profit of $US269 million in the 12 months to December 31, on the back on increased copper production and improved operational performance at its Lumwana copper mine in Zambia.

The state government has released a new planning and infrastructure framework to guide urban development in the Pilbara for the next 25 years.

West Perth-based Signature Metals says it has secured $16.2 million to fund its South African Konongo gold project through a rights issue and share placement.

WESTERN Australia’s business community has increased its focus on maximising its opportunities in Asia, with the establishment of a council to promote two-way trade with the Republic of Korea.

FREMANTLE Ports says it still wants a commercial development at Victoria Quay, after ING Real Estate abandoned its contentious $350 million redevelopment plans.

BUILDING approvals fell in Western Australia over January, but WA fared better than most of the rest of the nation, according to the Housing Industry Association.

Southern Cross Electrical Engineering has announced a board shakeup, with current chairman Frank Tomasi stepping down, to be replaced by former Clough chairman John Cooper.

Perth-based Hunnu Coal has continued its stunning run with the announcement of a strategic partnership with Singapore-based Banpu Minerals to develop its Mongolian coal tenements.

BHP Billition Area C mine manager Kate Sommerville and Alcoa maintenance group leader Kym Jones have taken out the top honours at the Chamber of Minerals and Energy's Women in Resources awards.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry says urgent action is needed to grow the size of the workforce, with further signs emerging that Western Australia is facing a severe labour shortage.

Engineering and construction firm Forge Group is searching for a new managing director, after its current boss, Peter Hutchinson, stepped down in a move he says will drive the company's next phase of growth.

The Conservation Council of Western Australia has launched a campaign against the ANZ Bank, saying its ongoing investment in coal mining and coal-fired power stations is an investment liability.

Sandfire Resources says it will take a 17.1 per cent stake in Chile-focused copper-gold explorer Whinnen Resources.

The state government's discussion paper to shape the next 20 years of energy supply has been blasted by environmental groups, which say it is a "disappointing plan for increasing pollution".

Stock index provider S&P Indices has announced Atlas Iron and Equinox Minerals have joined the ranks of the top 100 Australian companies, while five other Western Australia-based firms have been elevated to the S&P/ASX 300.

Sandfire Resources has announced it will go ahead with a $400 million development of its DeGrussa copper-gold project, on the strength of a "robust" pre-feasibility study.

Ken Perry has stepped down as chief executive of VDM Group, to pursue non-executive opportunities, after just more than a year in charge of the construction, contracting and consulting company.

The train line linking Western Australia to the eastern states has been reopened, after floodwaters forced its closure on February 26.

Shares in Mundo Minerals have slipped after it said it secured the support of several substantial US-based investment funds as part of its bid to raise between $10 million and $15 million.

Focus Minerals says it will purchase the remaining stake it does not already own of the Treasure Island gold project in the eastern Goldfields in a scrip and cash offer worth around $2.4 million, on today's share price.

Ian Trahar has confirmed he will not increase his takeover offer for window coverings manufacturer Kresta Holdings, even though independent analysis of the bid last week found it neither fair nor reasonable.

Perth-based Alexium International has entered an agreement to become the sole manufacturing and distribution partner in Australia and New Zealand for workwear and defence industry uniform supplier Bruck Textiles.

The DomGas Alliance and APPEA, who are normally at odds with each other on energy policy, have backed Energy Minister Peter Collier's discussion paper to shape the next 20 years of energy regulation.

Advanced materials company Quickstep has signed an agreement that will pave the way for it to become a recognised supplier to global helicopter company Sikorski International Operations.

Perth-based Aquila Resources says its interim loss of $15.8 million was primarily due to an increase in spending on exploring and evaluating its tenements.