Financial Services

Perth-based CO2 Group Ltd has launched a cash takeover offer for private mallee eucalyptus planting firm The Oil Mallee Company of Australia Ltd in a bid worth up to $700,000.

West Perth-based intellectual property company ipernica Ltd has entered into a $16 million agreement to acquire geospatial media company NearMap Pty Ltd, which has selected Perth for its initial prototype testing.

Fortescue Metals Group is considering a number of finance options to fund expansion plans at its Chichester Range iron project, with a control estimate expected to be released within a few months.

Perth-based Gindalbie Metals Ltd has started its spending spree for its $1.8 billion Karara iron ore project in Western Australia by placing a $70 million order for key long lead items.

The once friendly merger between Perth-based Perilya Ltd and Sydney-based CBH Resources Ltd has officially been terminated.

Balcatta-based gold company Zedex Minerals Ltd will boost its interest in Canadian resource company Olympus Pacific Minerals Inc in a bid to become a leading player in the Asia Pacific gold sector.

First production at Atlas Iron Ltd's Pardoo project has been delayed by to December after it lodged an appeal over conditions recommended by the Environmental Protection Authority.

Subiaco-based Summit Resources Ltd plans to raise over $10 million through a rights issue which will be fully sub-underwritten by its two largest shareholders, Paladin Energy Ltd and Areva NC Australia Pty Ltd.

Territory fails to get rid of administrators; Orica to raise $900m in spin off; ATO reveals widespread use of havens; MCC retakes guard to save ore deal; Brokers left holding bag as investors snub HBOS

Australia's corporate watchdog has launched civil Federal Court proceedings against several companies and individuals linked to Firepower Holdings Group Ltd, claiming shares in the fuel technology group were sold without a prospectus.

Leederville-based Cape Lambert Iron Ore Ltd has had a heavy day of trade as speculation mounts that a takeover bid by a Russian steel making giant is imminent.

While new motor vehicle sales rose by 1 per cent across the country over the month of June, Western Australia was near the head of the pack of states and territories to record a decline.

Subiaco-based Midas Resources Ltd has signed a cooperation agreement with Chinese company Zijin Mining Group which will allow it to take a sizeable stake in the Da Hong Shan copper project in the Xinjiang Province.

West Perth-based Equinox Minerals Ltd expects installation and testing of new equipment at its Lumwana copper project Zambia to start in December following a fire at the project's power station a fortnight ago.

HBOS, the UK owner of Perth-based BankWest, today said shareholders agreed to take up 8.29 per cent of its $8 billion rights issue, increasing speculation that Perth-based BankWest could be up for sale.

Perth-based biotechnology company Xceed Capital Ltd will net over $6 million in scrip from selling its majority shareholding in PolyNovo Biomaterials Ltd to a Melbourne company.

Trading of shares in newly listed, West Perth-based APAC Coal Ltd has been suspended over a dispute relating to its initial public offer.

West Perth-based Key Petroleum Ltd has declared its gas discovery in Tanzania commercially viable with the Kiliwani North field to be developed for local market.

South Perth-based Finbar Group Ltd expects to quadruple its net profit for the 2008 financial year and has forecast early sales revenue for fiscal 2009 from its Domus and Ceresa apartments.

The Australian Taxation Office will investigate up to 160,000 individuals and entities that have registered a boat in Australia, according to Deloitte tax partner David Pring.

Shareholders in Gemcom Software International Inc have voted to accept a takeover offer from three equity firms worth $194 million.

PT Bumi Resources TBK has gained majority control of Herald Resources Ltd, lifting its stake to 51.34 per cent after its former rival accepted the takeover offer yesterday.

West Perth-based Automotive Holdings Group has lodged several claims with the Australian Tax Office regarding overpaid goods and services tax of up to an estimated $7 million in total.

Experienced engineer Bruce Cameron is hoping his commercial skills will help turn around the fortunes of struggling technology company Antaria Ltd, which this month adopted a new name to signify a fresh start and change of focus.

Curtin University of Technology came forward as one of the best employer brands in this year's WA Business News Branding Survey, featuring along the large corporate firms and perennial performers Wesfarmers, BankWest, Woodside and RAC.

Flicking through the professional recruitment pages, its clear to see the intense competition for candidates in the Western Australia's tight employment market.

In times of financial stress, such as those we are currently experiencing, investment patterns and behaviour should be informed and strengthened by lessons passed on from successful investors, such as Warren Buffet and the legendary Sir John Templeton.

Following Chinese steel company Sinosteel's announcement that it had secured majority control in iron ore miner Midwest Corporation last week, questions have been raised regarding the potential of future acquisitions of WA mining companies.

Bankwest has again topped the waning brands list in a survey of WA's leading marketing, advertising and PR executives.

Managed investment scheme provider Great Southern Ltd has begun cutting its workforce across Australia after producing a poor sales result for the year.

The Perth Convention Bureau has engaged advertising agency Marketforce to develop a business events brand for Western Australia to promote better the state as an international meetings, incentive and convention destination.

A wages stoush with the Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union has shone the spotlight on the operations of the not-for-profit St John Ambulance Australia WA.