Edited announcement

Perth-based oil and gas explorer Eureka Energy Ltd has raised $3 million through the placement of 9.4 million shares at 32 cents each, raising funds for drilling and other activities at its Sugarloaf project, as well as for further working capital.

Subiaco-based gold explortion company Carbine Resources Ltd and North Perth resources explorer Drake Resources Ltd have raised funds through placements, the companies have announced.

Two Perth-based companies have announced successful captial raising to boost their working capital funds.

South Perth-based oil and gas explorer Central Petroleum Ltd has raised $9 million through an underwritten exercise of options and share placement, the company has announced.

West Perth-based Sterling Biofuels International Ltd has finalised construction of its Malaysia-based biodiesel production facility on time and $1.9 million under budget, the company announced today.

North Perth-based development fund MEC Resources Ltd has launched a shareholder share purchase plan to raise around $1.5 million for working capital.

East Perth-based diamonds explorer North Australian Diamonds Ltd will spin-off its Northern Territory uranium assets through an initial public offer, raising up to $9 million, the company announced today.

West Perth-based petroleum explorer ARC Energy Ltd will farmin to two Canning Basin permits owned by Nedlands-based oil and gas explorer Empire Oil & Gas NL after completing two geophysical surveys.

The inaugural Western Australian Spatial Excellence Awards were held at the weekend hosted by the Western Australian regional groups of the Australian Spatial Information Business Association and the Spatial Sciences Institute.

West Perth-based Murchison Metals Ltd has completed a placement worth $113 million, using funds raised to investigate and fund growth opportunities in the bulk commodities sector and for working capital.

West Perth-based minerals explorer Warwick Resources Ltd has raised $3.5 million through a placement to fund followup drilling on the company's gold and copper projects, along with work on other projects.

Bank of Queensland's Western Australian branches will expand to five next month, with former BankWest employee Gui Pierre opening an owner-managed branch in Midland.

Perth-based Aurora Oil & Gas Ltd will raise $10.6 million through a placement and rights issue to secure additional working capital for its oil and gas projects in the United States.

Subiaco-based Poseidon Nickel Ltd, currently listed as Niagara Mining Ltd, has purchased Nedlands-based Dynasty Metals Ltd's Laverton Nickel Project through a scrip issue of $400,000.

Perth-based diamond explorer Paramount Mining Corporation Ltd has reached an option agreement to acquire a 50 per cent stake in a South African diamond project by spending $600,000 on mining operations.

Perth-based uranium explorer Fission Energy Ltd has announced plans to undertake a pro-rata non-renounceable options issue at one cent each on a basis of one option for every two shares held, as foreshadowed in its initial public offer.

West Perth-based minerals explorer Gunson Resources Ltd has entered into a memorandum of understanding for project finance and zircon product offtake from its Coburn Zircon Project in Western Australia, with China Triumph International Engineering Co Ltd

Perth-based biotechnology company Stirling Products Ltd has commenced the second stage of trials of the R-salbutamol growth agent in barramundi, and is nearing the completion of trals on swine, the company has announced.

Applecross-listed and Victoria-based Xceed Biotechnology Ltd's subsidiary PolyNovo Biomaterials Pty Ltd has formed a joint venture with the Principals of the Australian Plastic Surgery Associates to develop a range of dermal filler and cosmetic surgery pr

Bore owners will be restricted to watering their gardens on three days per week and the State will set up different garden watering guidelines for northern Western Australians under new guidelines announced today by Water Resources Minister John Kobelke.

South Perth-based oil and gas producer Cooper Energy Ltd has reported a lower net production level for the June quarter due to the impact of May's heavy rains on its trucking operations causing production deferment in all fields and some mechanical downti

Perth diversified minerals developer and producer Dwyka Resources Ltd has issued almost 4 million shares to Savinara Company SA in relation to the earn-in agreement with Swazi Gold Ventures Pty Ltd to acquire 50 per cent of their company.

Western Australian Attorney-General Jim McGinty has called on the Federal Government to appoint a judge to the family court, replacing Chief Judge Michael Holden, who retired in February.

The finalists of the 2007 Telstra Western Australian Business Awards are:Australian Government Micro-Business Award (open to businesses with five employees or fewer);

Perth-based scooter manufacturing and distribution group Vmoto Limited has secured long term access to working capital of up to $5 million under an agreement with licensed broker and investment bank Fortrend Securities Pty Ltd.

Sydney-based Gresham Investment House will take a majority stake in East Perth-based underground mining specialist Barminco, the two companies announced this morning.

West Perth-based mineral explorer Haddington Resources Ltd has raised $5.2 million through its fully subscribedrenounceable rights issue, with funds raised used to accelerate exploration of the company's existing and future projects.

South Perth-based Aquarius Platinum Ltd's primary underground mining contractor at its Kroondal and Marikana mines, Murray & Roberts Cementation, has dismissed 3,250 employees following an unprotected strike.

West Perth-based Tanami Gold NL has agreed to pay the former engineering contractor on its Coyote gold project $750,000 to settle all outstanding matters between the two companies.

The announcement of Applecross-listed and Victoria-based Xceed Biotechnology Ltd's plan to demerge subsidiary PolyNovo Biomaterials Pty Ltd through an initial public offer sent the company's stock up 37 per cent, closing at 24 cents today.

The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies has expressed concerns about Western Australian Government proposals to convert more than 5.5 million hectares of pastoral lease to parks and reserves.

Perth-based biotechnology company Stirling Products Ltd will acquire Canada-based Progressive BioActives Incorporated for around $856,000 and 1.6 million shares, after confirming both parties signed an agreement today.