Mark Beyer

The state government has copped a lot of flak over cost increases and construction delays on its metropolitan railway expansion project, but its problems are modest compared with some of the largest resource projects being built in Western Australia.

The iron ore sector has been at the forefront of Western Australia’s resources boom and, while industry heavyweights Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton still dominate, new producers are gradually emerging.

The strong growth in resource and infrastructure projects in Western Australia has underpinned further expansion of the state’s engineering profession, led by Australia’s largest engineering company, WorleyParsons.

The annual survey of major resource and infrastructure projects featured in this week’s WA Business News provides plenty of support for those who have a ‘stronger for longer’ view on the state’s economic outlook.

The oil and gas sector is set to make an increased contribution to WA's strong economy with eight major expansion projects under way, including the state’s single most expensive development, Woodside Petroleum’s $12 billion Pluto gas project.

Chevron Corporation's Chairman and Chief Executive Dave O'Reilly has expressed confidence that the long-delayed Gorgon gas project will proceed, and will most likely be doubled in size.

The long-running takeover battle for Consolidated Minerals Ltd has taken another unexpected turn after Brian Gilbertson's Pallinghurst consortium lifted its offer to $4.10 per share and vowed to match any increased offer lodged in the next three weeks.

Gindalbie Metals Ltd is set to become Australia's next major iron ore producer after signing a joint venture development agreement with a major Chinese steel producer in the presence of China's President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister John Howard.

Como-based mining company Aquila Resources Ltd has failed in an attempt to gain control of iron ore and coal joint ventures after the Supreme Court of Queensland ruled againt its application.

Fremantle harbour is facing unprecedented pressure as shipping volumes increase rapidly, but the port’s managers are confident it could handle more than double the current freight volumes.

Ten years ago this month, Perth’s legal profession underwent a seismic change when the city’s two largest firms, Parker & Parker and Freehill, Hollingdale & Page, agreed to merge.

The Bank of Queensland Ltd’s plan to acquire Perth’s Home Building Society Ltd has rival financial institutions looking for opportunities to take advantage of the takeover.

This week’s visit to Perth by Chinese president Hu Jintao highlighted the important role Western Australia plays in supporting the world’s powerhouse economy.

Boutique Perth-based investment group Ayr Capital Corporation rubbed shoulders with resource heavyweights Rio Tinto Iron Ore, Shell and Yilgarn Infrastructure, which all used this week’s visit to Perth by Chinese president Hu Jintao to highlight their lin

Michael Kiernan's Precious Metals Australia Ltd has been forced to seek a new energy supply contract for its $300 million Windmurra vanadium project after Santos Ltd appeared to terminate a four-month old gas supply agreement.

Loss-making engineering company Clough Ltd has settled its long-running and costly legal dispute with Origin Energy over the BassGas oil project in Victoria.

Ukrainian billionaire Gennadiy Bogolyubov has trumped the rival bidders for Consolidated Minerals Ltd, including Brian Gilbertson's Pallinghurst Resources, by launching a $902 million all-cash takeover bid.

Alinta has finalised the composition of payments to its shareholders under its recently approved takeover scheme, with shareholders who wanted cash rather than various Babcock & Brown securities getting nearly all of their payment in cash.

Strong nickel prices and a big increase in production volumes have enabled nickel miner Sally Malay Mining Ltd to record a 453 per cent increase in net profit after tax to $88.1 million.

Earthmoving and mining equipment supplier Emeco Holdings Ltd, which has been battered by investors after completing one of Western Australia's biggest sharemarket floats, has delivered a strong rise in net profit to beat its prospectus forecasts.

Welshpool-based pharmaceutical manufacturer PharmAust Ltd is seeking to finalise an urgent refinancing after shareholders rejected an $825,000 capital raising and moved to dump the company's current directors.

Michael Kiernan’s Territory Resources Ltd has been criticised by the Takeovers Panel over comments made during the ongoing takeover battle for his old company, Consolidated Minerals Ltd.

Kwinana engineering and fabrication firm Ausclad Group of Companies Ltd has secured one of its largest contracts on the $2 billion Boddington Gold Mine project, which has provided work opportunities for a wide range of contractors in Western Australia.

Record prices for nickel, copper and zinc have underpinned bumper profit reports this month, with global mining giant BHP Billiton Ltd leading the charge with a 28.4 per cent increase in net profit to $US13.4 billion ($A16.7 billion) for the year to June

When CSIRO chief executive, Dr Geoff Garrett, visited Perth recently on the research group’s national industry roadshow, he delivered a very entertaining presentation on exponential change.

Engineering company Clough Ltd has reported a worse than expected after-tax loss of $105.3 million after making provisions of $130.7 million against two problem contracts.

The Takeovers Panel has delivered a highly critical report on Territory Resources Ltd and its chairman Michael Kiernan, declaring he acted unacceptably during the ongoing takeover battle for his old company Consolidated Minerals Ltd.

Automotive and industrial products supplier Coventry Group Ltd has posted a $1.2 million loss for the year to June 2007 after big write-downs in the value of its new IT system and goodwill on its interstate operations.

The failed property developer Westpoint Group owes investors more than $420 million and with two exceptions, investors in most of its projects will receive little if any return, a report by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission has found.

Engine technology developer Orbital Corporation Ltd has reported an increase in net profit after tax to $1.3 million for the year to June 2007, up from $0.5 million in the previous year.

Record prices for nickel, lead and zinc over the past year have underpinned bumper profit reports this week, with BHP Billiton Ltd, Jubilee Mines NL and Independence Group NL all reporting strongly improved results today.

The sharp fall in share values over the past fortnight has highlighted for many investors the tangible value of companies that pay regular dividends.