After a rollercoaster 12 months, the iron ore industry is again showing signs of the rapid growth that made it the powerhouse of the state’s economy before the global financial meltdown.
WHEN the powers that be at Wesfarmers were mulling over the CV of Diane Smith-Gander before appointing her to their board, they must have thought how opportune it would have been to have her as a director two years earlier.
IT will have been a busy week at the headquarters of LandCorp with the state's development agency playing host to pitches from the short-listed developers for the Alkimos project 50 kilometres north of Perth.
A STOCK exchange listing is off the agenda, but Perth property developer Nigel Satterley is creating a corporate structure that will ensure his Satterley Group stays in business long after he is gone.
Perth businessman Gordon Martin's bid to bankroll a rescue package for Great Southern's timber plantations has gained traction amongst growers while a US investment fund has given its financial support for the move.
The total number of owner occupier loans in Western Australia dropped 3.3 per cent during July, the first fall in nine months, and economists forecast the downward trend to continue over the next few months.
Retailers can expect a tough 18 months ahead as the federal government's policy stimulus fades and growth in household income weakens, a leading forecaster says.
Stockbroking firm, Patersons Securities has launched a new specialist fixed income and hybrid securities joint venture based in Sydney called Davies & Partners.
Shares in gold explorer Carrick Gold closed almost 12 per cent higher today after the company announced the start of pre-feasability studies at it's three open-pit mines north east of Kalgoorlie.
Avoca Resources has appointed three of its board members, including managing director Rohan Williams, to the board of 44.85 per cent owned company, Dioro Exploration.
Two new directors have been appointed to Compass Hotel Group, allowing the company to pick up the pieces nearly two months after three-quarters of the board walked out.
China has today expanded its presence in the state's junior iron ore sector, striking placement deals valued at nearly $40 million with two explorers that hold projects in Western Australia.
West Perth-based uranium explorer Energy Metals has recommended a proportional takeover bid by a Chinese firm, which will underwrite an $11.7 million rights issue.
Perth-based Web Ace faces a $1 million fine after the communications regulatory body found the internet service provider had deducted money from customers' credit card accounts without permission.
Perth-based oil and gas company Amadeus Energy has bowed to disgruntled shareholder CVC's demands, announcing today that managing director Geoffrey Towner will step down and two other directors will resign.
Aurox Resources says it has secured a $10 million equity placement facility with US-based investment fund YA Global Master SPV, which will reduce the Subiaco-based company's medium-term funding risk.
Perth-based Resolute Mining plans to raise up to $35 million through a convertible notes placement as it enters a conditional agreement Barclays Bank to restructure its debt facilities.
Perth-based Sandalwood grower and processor TFS Corporation has raised $28 million from an institutional placement with funds to be used to reduce debt and growth opportunities.
West Perth-based Shaw River Resources plans to raise up to $5 million through a placement with its largest shareholder, Atlas Iron, backing the raising.
The two companies that manage Great Southern's olive groves in Western Australia have joined forces to develop proposals for the collapsed company's olive managed investment schemes.
Navigator Resources will press ahead with its acquisition of the Bronzewing gold operation after securing a $16 million debt facility and revealing plans for a $24 million capital raising.
Cash-rich Vulcan Resources and Universal Resources have announced a friendly merger, brining together copper projects in Finland and Queensland into the combined group.
Uranium explorer WildHorse Energy is diversifying into the coal sector through a deal that will see Mark Hohnen and Ian Middlemas join its board of directors.
Short and sweet
Rebranding is all the go these days, even for industry bodies.
It seems it's out with the acronyms and in with easy words that people can remember.
THE lure of generous tax deductions has taken more casualties in Western Australia, with investors fleeced of almost $100,000 in a scam disguised as a film industry investment.
