Staff Reporters

PETROLEUM industry explorers in Western Australia are calling for greater long-term incentives despite the recent opening of 24 offshore areas for bidding from within the sector.

HERON Resources has completed an excluded placement of 16.5 million fully paid ordinary shares to Canadian-based Inco - its Kalgoorlie nickel project joint venture partner.

PROPERTY investment firm Aspen Group has launched a new unlisted property investment fund.

Proposed code: NVC Issue price: $0.30

Acorn Capital Ltd increased its relevant interest from 7,417,945 ordinary shares (9.92%) to 9,567,945 ordinary shares (12.06%).

The Essential Earth Pty Ltd increased its relevant interest from 4,472,447 ordinary shares (12.5148%) to 5,938,423 ordinary shares (17.1530%).

Completed its placement of 36 million fully paid ordinary shares at AUD$1.05 per share to raise AUD$37,800,000.

100% owned Zambian subsidiary Equinox Copper Ventures Ltd has signed a Letter of Intent for the future supply and sale of copper concentrate from its Lumwana Project in Zambia with Palabora Mining Co

Has entered into a Heads of Agreement with Puku Minerals whereby Ezenet agrees to release and transfer to Puku Minerals all of the interests of Ezenet in the Muliashi prospect and any interests in the

Ray Williams, the former Chief Executive Officer of HIH Insurance Limited has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years' jail with a non-parole period of two years and nine months.

James Talijancich of Talijancich Wines believes that while the Swan Valley's weather may be getting drier, its wines are getting better.

Recently-listed lead drug developer, Phylogica has announced the appointment of Greg Pullen as a non-executive director.

Wesley Mission Perth provides community service support in the areas of homelessness, poverty, substance abuse, disability services, psychiatric illness, ageing, loneliness, brain injury, primary supp

Code: ZBB Issue price: $0.50 Principal activities: Develops and manufactures distributed energy storage solutions.

Primus Corp (Aust) Pty Ltd ceased to be a substantial shareholder.

Cleveland Cliffs Australia Pty Ltd increased its relevant interest from 139,964,408 ordinary shares (79.6665%) to 140,407,749 ordinary shares (79.713%).

Concord Capital decreased its relevant interest from 9,281,068 ordinary shares (7.88%) to 8,090,021 ordinary shares (6.87%).

Transaction Solutions International Pty Ltd has entered into a joint venture agreement with Securitrans India Private Ltd

Annual General Meeting will be held at the Parmelia Hilton Hotel (Terrace Room),14 Mill Street, Perth on Tuesday 19 May 2005 at 10.00am.

Australian Gold Industry recognises its best The Australian gold industry honoured its most outstanding performers at the Australian Gold Council's (AGC) annual industry dinner on April 11.

THE Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is calling for public submissions and comment on issues relevant to the negotiation of a free trade agreement between Australia and Malaysia.

MULTIPLEX-DEGREMONT has been selected as the successful tenderer for the $387 million Perth Desalination Project.

DWYKA Diamonds has moved to buy four diamond mines in South Africa's Northern Cape.

Proposed code: EMC Issue price: $100 per note Principal activities: Provider of heavy earth moving equipment in Australia.

UXC Ltd increased its relevant interest from 7,067,312 ordinary shares (18.96%) to 7,590,091 ordinary shares (19.96%).

Island Australia Pty Ltd increased its relevant interest from 4,472,447 ordinary shares (12.5148%) to 5,938,423 ordinary shares (17.1530%).

As of the close of business on 13 April 2005, the majority of JDV shareholders, by number of shares (56.28%), have now accepted IWL's Offer.

Many of the state's ratepayers will be anxious to learn the results of the May 7 local government election after several councils and their elected members have received varying degrees of negative publicity in recent months.

Watershed Premium Wines has announced the appointment of Phil Fletcher as a director and also his engagement as a sales and marketing consultant.

INTERNATIONAL Goldfields, based in Leederville, is currently evaluating the economics of mining its Marda Central gold project, located in the eastern Goldfields, following promising resource estimate

Code: MMX Issue price: $0.20 plus one attaching option for every two shares held. Options exercisable at 20 cents on or before November 30 2007.

Colin Knox became a substantial shareholder with a relevant interest of 4,882,807 ordinary shares (8.07%).