Staff Reporters

California-based science and technology company Aurora Algae has announced plans to open a new office in Perth and hopes to ramp up its operations in the state's north-west.

West Perth-based Bathurst Resources hopes to raise $110 million to provide funds for the acquisition and development of its Buller coking coal project in New Zealand.

Subiaco-based Carbon Conscious has signed a contract with Wesfarmers Insurance to offset the company's 2010 corporate emissions.

The Reserve Bank has surprised economists by leaving the official cash rate unchanged at 4.5 per cent.

West Leederville-based Argent Minerals has completed the acquisition of the historic Bullant gold mine at Ora Banda north of Kalgoorlie from Barrick Gold.

Galaxy Resources has commenced production of lithium concentrate (spodumene) at its Mt Cattlin mine near Ravensthorpe.

Marenica Energy has estimated it will cost $US260 million to develop its Marenica uranium project in Nambia.

Melbourne-based business UXC has been selected to provide a lifestyle and entertainment system for workers on Chevron Australia's Gorgon gas project.

NearMap.com says the efficiency of its sales process to government agencies will improve greatly after the ipernica subsidiary was appointed to an Australian government geospatial supplier panel.

Premier Colin Barnett is heading to Singapore tomorrow for three days to promote Western Australia.

Global education provider Navitas has extended its partnership with Canadian tertiary institution Simon Fraser University for a further 10 years.

The state government has released a 41-page discussion paper to consider options for the sale of 'durable consumer goods' on Sundays.

Talisman Mining is set to sell its WA iron ore projects at Wonmunna and Uaroo for $41.35 million to E-Com Multi in a cash and scrip deal.

Paladin Energy has upgraded the ore estimate at its Langer Heinrich mine in Nambia by 104 per cent to 60,830 tonnes.

Tony Sage-led Cape Lambert Resources has recorded a $72.2 million net profit after tax for the 2010 financial year, largely as a result of the sale of the Lady Annie Copper Project in Queensland.

Former WA Newspapers director and Transfield Services director Mel Ward has died.

Explorer and miner Gippsland says it has received firm commitments to raise $3.2 million via a share placement to help fund the development of its key project in Egypt.

Perth-based Coalspur Mines has announced plans for an $80 million capital raising and hopes to use the funds to accelerate the development of its Vista Coal Project in Canada.

Leederville-based Fe Limited says the first drilling program at its Mt Elvire Iron Ore Project at Yilgarn has exceeded expectations.

Several national parks around the state are set to benefit from $20 million in funding from the Royalties for Regions program.

The finalists for the 2010 WA Innovator of the Year award announced today come from a range of sectors and industries.

New laws allowing retailers across Perth to open on weeknights until 9pm will come into effect from November 1.

Osborne Park-based Joyce Corporation has sold a Queensland property for $7.5 million and will use the majority of the proceeds to reduce the company's bank debt and improve gearing ratios.

Territory Resources has announced a $41.3 million net profit after tax for the 2010 financial year, a $112.7 million turnaround compared to the previous corresponding period.

West Perth-based AusAmerican Mining has announced it has made a potentially large rare earth discovery in the US state of Arizona.

Clough CEO John Smith has cashed in $2.4 million worth of shares in the engineering and construction company after exercising three million options.

Mitsubishi Corporation says recent press speculation claiming the Japanese conglomerate wants to pull out of building a new iron ore export port at Oakajee near Geraldton is "completely groundless".

WA's electricity generator Verve Energy has signed a multi-million dollar information technology contract with Fujitsu to manage the company's customer service.

Woodside Petroleum says a floating LNG plant remains its preferred option for the Greater Sunrise gas field, after an East Timor official said Woodside was reviewing other processing options.

The Australian Securities and Investment Commission has charged a former director of Cape Bonbon with three counts of steeling.

West Perth-based Troy Resources has announced it has begun milling ore at its Casposo project in Argentina and expects the first gold will be poured next month.

West Perth-based Carnegie Wave Energy has joined forces with Ireland's national energy authority to develop a wave energy project.