Staff Reporters

Gunson Resources said today that it has gained Environmental Protection Authority endorsement of its mineral sands project near Shark Bay.

After raising $2.5 million in an IPO, Perth-based optical goods company C @ Ltd is expected to list on the stock exchange this week.

Despite some big corporate deals done this calendar year, the value of mergers and acquisitions in Australia appears to have fallen, according to research done by accounting firm KPMG.

Despite having the worst skills shortage in the nation, the number of apprentices and trainees in Western Australia has increased in contrast to the national trend.

A number of other winners at the Margaret River Wine Show were announced besides Evans & Tate last night.

Precious Metals Australia Ltd says it estimates that the redevelopment of its contentious Windimurra vanadium project is likely to cost $100 million.

Hit international children's entertainers the Wiggles have upstaged Western Australia's mining and meat sectors to take off the Australian Exporter of the Year Award.

Peet & Company Ltd has closed its latest syndicate offer after raising $20 million for a development project planned in Victoria.

Platinum Australia Ltd's shares are set to begin trading on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market. The AIM listing commences after shareholders ratified a $6 million deal to fund African developments.

Kalgoorlie-based Croesus Mining NL has announced rights issue to raise almost $9 million to fund an accelerated mine development and exploration program at its Norseman gold operations in Western Australia.

Capital expenditure by Australian companies continued to grow in the September quarter, supported by strong investment in mining sector.

Perth biotechnology company pSivida has confirmed the creation of a new spin off, pSiNutria Ltd, a company it will seed with $1.5 million to focus on techology applying to the food industry.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd has sold its 54 per cent Blacktip gas field interests to Italian-based oil giant ENI in a $40 million deal.

Western Australian industrial Joyce Corporation Ltd has completed its exit from manufacturing, completing the sale of its foam business for $16 million to Indian company Sheela Foam Private Ltd.

The national winners of the 2005 Australian Export Awards program will be announced tonight in Sydney.

The Australian stock market closed lower today, after finding it could not sustain the earlier momentum which sent the benchmark index past its previous closing high.

Bullion Minerals Ltd has revealed plans to spin off several gold exploration assets in an IPO of its newly registered subsidiary Chalice Gold Mines Ltd.

Business news summaries from around the nation.

The Western Australian Trade Enquiry Service is operated by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia (CCI) with the support of the WA Government's Department of I

Proposed code: AZM Issue price: $0.20 Principal activities: gold exploration. Corporate: Malcolm MacPherson (chairman); Stephen Ross (managing director); Bernard Aylward (non-executive director).

Westpac Banking Corporation ceased to be a substantial shareholder

Anglo Gaelic Investmments Pty Ltd, Lion Nathan Ltd became a substantial shareholder with a relevant interest of 20,000,000 ordinary shares (33.9%).

Credit Suisse First Boston Australia Ltd increased its relevant interest from 12,221,611 ordinary shares (11.56%) to 13,445,110 ordinary shares (12.56%).

Has entered into an agreement with Mithril Resources to explore for nickel sulphide mineralisation within Arafura ’s (100%) Exploration Licence 9725 and 10136 in the NT.

Has been awarded with Aker Kvaerner the $45M contract by Woodside Energy to install the platform topside module for the proposed Angel gas field.

Copy of the paper presented to the APPEA Taxation and Finance Conference held 22-23 September 2005.

WOODSIDE’S oil production off the North West Cape will receive a boost following the approval by Woodside Energy Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Woodside Petroleum Ltd, of $US300 million in capital

Proposed code: GEM Issue price: $0.20 Principal activities: diamond exploration.

AEGON UK plc held in the name of Chase Nominees Ltd became a notifiable shareholder with a relevant interest of 2,512,922 ordinary shares (3.03%).

Commonwealth Bank of Australia increased its relevant interest from 3,641,616 ordinary shares (7.87%) to 4,223,498 ordinary shares (8.93%).

Announced a $5.8 million rights issue,to be fully underwritten at no cost by its parent company,Kimberley Diamond Company NL.

Acquisition of iron ore tenements from Heron Resources will not proceed.