Tayler Neale

Altura Mining has appointed Citigroup as its corporate adviser in relation to a potential takeover of the $740 million company by its largest shareholder, Chinese battery manufacturer Shaanxi J & R Optimum Energy.

Local contractor SRG today announced the purchase of New Zealand-based TBS Group for $NZ35 million ($32.9 million), with a $24 million capital raising being used to part-fund the acquisition.

Japanese group Mitusi & Co has gained a majority stake in Waitsia gas field operator AWE after a keenly contested takeover battle, and has now declared its $602 million offer unconditional.

The board of Finders Resources has been overhauled after Indonesian group Eastern Field Developments increased its stake above 90 per cent in its $177 million takeover of the copper miner, with David Fowler appointed as a director and acting chief executive.

Goldminer St Barbara has invested $4 million in local explorer Duketon Mining, while Resolute Mining has announced it will take a $5.1 million stake in a Canadian gold-focused company.

West Perth-based Caravel Minerals has been forced to call a general meeting to vote on the election of two new directors, who are part of a dissident group that had also wanted shareholders to vote on the removal of three existing board members.

Perth house prices were up 0.3 per cent in March, and have risen in four of the past six months, according to the latest data from CoreLogic, adding to hopes of a sustained improvement in the residential property market.

Three Western Australian gold miners have recently started production at their respective operations, with Dacian Gold’s $200 million Mt Morgans project near Laverton pouring its first bar of gold last week.

The corporate watchdog has submitted an application to the Takeovers Panel asking it to block certain shareholders of Finders Resources from accepting an offer for their shares.

West Perth-based Metalicity has announced plans to spin-out its Admiral Bay zinc project on the TSX Venture Exchange as Kimberley Mining, following strong interest from Canadian investment banks and fund managers.

Watpac is considering selling its Perth-based mining division after the company announced it had recently missed out on two major contracts.

Australian Aboriginal Mining Corporation chairman Daniel Tucker is confident the company will become the first Aboriginal-owned and operated iron ore miner this year, after signing a mine gate sales deal with Fortescue Metals Group.

The Perth’s Children Hospital is on track to receive its first patients in May after the chief health officer today gave the facility’s water quality the green light.

Copper miner OZ Minerals has launched a $444 million takeover bid for Avanco Resources, sending shares in the Subiaco-based ASX-listed exploration company soaring.

Western Australia’s Chief Justice Wayne Martin will stand down after more than 12 years in the role.

Aspiring copper miner Altona Mining is one step closer to a $93 million merger with Canada-based Copper Mountain Mining after Altona shareholders approved the scheme of arrangement today.

Japanese group Mitsui & Co has announced it will not extend the deadline on its $602 million takeover offer for AWE and confirmed its offer price of 95 cents per share is final.

Peru-focused Titan Minerals has announced plans to acquire West Perth-based Andina Resources, which owns a number of assets in close proximity to Titan, in a scrip deal worth approximately $19 million.

Pacific Energy has strengthened its position in the remote power market by striking a deal to acquired Kewdale-based Contract Power Group for $90 million in cash and shares, adding to its existing operations through subsidiary Kalgoorlie Power Systems.

Lazy Frog Booking is a travel booking website that provides users with the ability to search for deals on flights, hotels, cruises, car rentals and travel insurance.

Subiaco-based Carbine Resources has pulled the pin on its planned redevelopment of the Mount Morgan copper-gold project in Queensland, in which it has already invested $12 million, while managing director Tony James and two directors have tendered their resignation.

Western Australia has continued its trend of marginal population growth, with the state registering growth of 0.9 per cent for the 12 months to September, as interstate migration remains in negative territory.

Building materials company Brickworks said today its Western Australian division has returned to profit following a major restructuring, one month after competitor Boral said it recorded a break-even result in WA.

The tourism industry has thrown its support behind the government’s new two-year plan to increase visitation to Western Australia, but says the plan needs to be backed with the right leadership, skills and financial resources.

The environmental watchdog has recommended approval of the first stage of China-backed Kimberley Agricultural Investment’s Carlton Plain project, which comprises a 3,000-hectare irrigated development north-west of Kununarra.

Online job advertising is growing at its fastest rate in 2.5 years in Western Australia, with the latest figures showing a 14.8 per cent surge in ads over the past 12 months.

PACT Construction has been awarded the forward and earthworks contract for the new $68 million Inner City College at Kitchener Park in Subiaco, while the state government has approved the Subiaco redevelopment scheme.

Indonesian group Eastern Field has taken control of Finders Resources, five months after announcing its takeover deal, which values the copper miner at about $177 million.

Moody’s Analytics is forecasting continued weakness in Perth's residential property market this year but a return to positive growth in 2019, with Perth’s western suburbs and Mandurah tipped to be the best-performing regions.

Cruise ship operator Princess Cruises has announced Fremantle as the home port for its Sun Princess superliner for a record period in 2019-20, following a series of upgrades to the state’s ports by the government.

The business sector has cautiously welcomed the federal government's announcement of a new visa scheme aimed at attracting high-paid and highly skilled workers to Australia, with the changes effectively reversing some of the stricter rules announced last year when the 457 visa sub-class was abolished.

West Perth-based Beadell Resources has announced plans to merge with a Canadian mining exploration firm to create a dual-listed company on the ASX and the TSX venture exchange.