Tom Zaunmayr joined Business News in 2023 as a senior journalist, covering state politics, resources (iron ore), Aboriginal affairs, regional development and agriculture.
He spent the past decade covering news in regional WA where he developed a passion for local and state politics, regional development, small business, Aboriginal affairs, human interest and anything Pilbara related.
Mr Zaunmayr spent five years in Karratha during one of the biggest periods of transition for the Pilbara town before moving to Kalgoorlie during COVID to take on a role as deputy editor of WA's only daily regional newspaper.
From there, he moved back above the 26th parallel as Seven West Media's Northern Papers editor based in Broome, and did a stint as editor of the National Indigenous Times.
A Pilbara native title body says the state government favours miners and urged Northern Star Resources to come back to the negotiating table over its wastewater plan.
Northern Star Resources is facing opposition from traditional owners over plans to discharge water from its Hemi gold project into an ephemeral Pilbara river.
Bauxite production is ramping back up at South32’s Worsley alumina refinery after the miner got the green light to mine new areas in the state’s jarrah forests.
Wheatbelt granola maker Merre Granola expects to be selling one tonne of produce per week by the end of the year due to strong demand from east coast cafes.
Farmers market operators will be offered business training and infrastructure support under a grants scheme launched by the state government this week.
BHP’s Pilbara mines have delivered another strong year for the big Australian, but cost blowouts and supply are hampering its efforts to become a force in fertiliser.
Delays to Alcoa’s plan to mine more of Western Australia’s jarrah forest for bauxite will leave the US miner relying on low grade product to feed its Pinjarra refinery for longer.
Simon Trott has paid tribute to his Pilbara iron ore team and spoke of his excitement to lead one of the world’s largest miners from a C-suite 15,000 kilometres away from his childhood home.
Iron ore production from Rio Tinto’s Pilbara mines reached near-record levels after the miner’s exports were curtailed by flooding at the start of the year.
A British-owned explorer hopes to add some extra icing to its Pilbara iron ore project as it tries to woo one of its giant neighbours to unlock the deposit.
OPINION: While governments talk a big game about building the Pilbara’s tourism industry, the latest business closure shows they have failed to deliver.
The first ammonia-powered iron ore bulk carriers could set sail for the Pilbara within three years under a deal signed on Thursday between BHP and one of its shipping partners.
The proponent behind two new hospitality venues in Port Hedland has walked away from both projects due to time and cost blowouts, and will look to invest in Perth instead.
A 500-room workforce camp built to house Mineral Resources’ Onslow Iron mine workforce has been unveiled, promising premium facilities in an effort to attract and retain staff.