Deals

Perth-based ATM machine operator Stargroup expects to return to the black after acquiring 109 ATMs from Cash Plus Australia for $6.5 million in cash and shares.

Fiona Wood-founded Avita Medical has received a $US16.9 million ($A24.1 million) commitment from a US government agency to fund a trial of its ReCell device.

A local exploration company led by Perth Glory owner Tony Sage is looking to join the wave of backdoor listings and become a gambling platforms provider, while technology company Velpic’s reverse takeover of International Coal has reached another milestone.

Local IT company Empired has won a $12 million contract to provide managed services to Western Power under an initial three-year term.

TPG Telecom's 320,000 mobile users will be moved onto the Vodafone Australia network, which will be upgraded by TPG as part of a $1 billion link-up between the companies.

Rio Tinto has struck a $865 million deal to sell its 40 per cent stake in the Bengalla open cut coal mine in NSW to New Hope Corporation.

Phoenix Gold shareholders will be hoping for an improved takeover offer from Evolution Mining, after a proposal to acquire the business was knocked back by Phoenix directors today.

Programmed Maintenance Services’ $424 million takeover of its larger competitor Skilled Group is a step closer to fruition, after Skilled shareholders voted in favour of the scheme of arrangement today.

Flinders Mines stakeholders have voted against selling the Pilbara iron ore project to private New Zealand company Todd Corporation for $65 million.

Junior explorers Azure Minerals and Metals of Africa have tapped investors to raise a combined $4.5 million to bolster their respective projects.

Quadrant Energy will pay $10 million to withdraw from a joint venture with Buru Energy and Mitsubishi Corporation, which together own oil and gas exploration permits in the Canning Basin.

A Bentley biotech company led by Graham Melrose is planning a $5 million initial public offering, after six years of research on the development of synthetic antibiotics.

Local explorers Encounter Resources, Horseshoe Metals and RNI have announced plans to raise a combined $9.8 million to fund ongoing work at their respective projects.

Perth-based Southern Cross Electrical Engineering has been hired to finish off work at Yara International’s $US800 million Burrup ammonium nitrate project in the Pilbara, after Downer walked off the job last week.

IT firm ASG Group has built on its relationship with the federal government with the renewal of a new contract with the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development worth $23.8 million.

Real estate companies Stocker Preston and Peard Real Estate Group have entered into an informal joint venture agreement to integrate their marketing, training and administration systems.

Private equity groups are on track to gain control of two mining operations, after Aditya Birla Minerals sold its mothballed Mt Gordon operation, while Atherton Resources looks set to be acquired in a takeover valued at about $56 million.

Cardinal Resources has received firm commitments for a $5 million capital raising to fund ongoing work at its Namdini gold project in Ghana.

One week after a big spike in its share price, Northern Mining has finalised plans to buy a major stake in a China-based gold exploration firm for a cash and share package worth $7.25 million.

Shares in credit information provider Veda have soared on news of a $2.28 billion takeover proposal from Equifax Inc.

SeaLink Travel Group is set to become Australia's largest marine tourism and transport company through its acquisition of Transit Systems Marine for $125 million.

Hong Kong-listed MMG is farming-in to Segue Resources’ Plumridge nickel project in the Fraser Range, in a deal worth $14 million.

The board of infrastructure services group Cardno has told its shareholders to reject a $215 million takeover proposal it received earlier in the week from Crescent Capital Investments.

Newcrest Mining is looking to increase its exploration acreage in West Africa through a proposed joint venture agreement with Perth-based company Taruga Gold, while AngloGold Ashanti has advanced plans to redevelop its Obuasi mine in Ghana.

Accounting, consulting and insurance broking firm Carbon Business Group has acquired Bibra Lake-based GLC Business Services for an undisclosed sum.

Local exploration firms Impact Minerals, Lucapa Diamond Company, and General Mining Corporation have taken in a combined $8.4 million from successful capital raisings.

Former Amcom Telecommunications chairman Anthony Grist has invested in listed tech company Decimal Software, which is seeking extra cashflow while awaiting the receipt of a research and development tax refund.

Perth entrepreneur Andrew Hopkins has struck a lucrative deal in the most unlikely of sectors, agreeing to sell his Gemini panel beating business to listed company AMA Group for $100 million.

Ten Network Holdings has rejected the concerns that has led the competition watchdog to hold up Foxtel's bid for a 15 per cent stake in the broadcaster.

Oil Search has rejected an $11.6 billion takeover bid from energy giant Woodside Petroleum, branding the offer as "highly opportunistic".

Perth security company Threat Protect Australia marked its listing on the ASX today with news it has completed due diligence on one of two planned acquisitions.

The family that holds a majority interest in Diploma Group has formally launched a takeover offer for all shares it doesn’t own in the business, at a bargain basement price of 1.5 cents per share.