Mining

Australia's biggest miner Rio Tinto says it will return billions to shareholders, after it recorded a 2 per cent rise in underlying earnings for 2018, to US$8.63 billion ($12.2 billion).

Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting is aiming to further diversify its operations by taking over Sydney-based Riversdale Resources, which is focused on developing a new coal project in Canada.

Paladin Energy is preparing for a recovery in the uranium market, approving a prefeasibility study to evaluate restarting its Langer Heinrich mine in Namibia.

China-based Chengtun Mining has launched an all-cash bid to buy Nzuri Copper at 37 cents per share.

Southern Cross Electrical Engineering has reported a net profit after tax of $4.5 million for the first half of the financial year, a rise of 66 per cent from the prior corresponding period.

Ausdrill has secured a two-year contract extension for works at the Nsuta manganese mine in Ghana, West Africa.

Altura Mining has announced it its closer to the production target at its Pilgangoora lithium project, after it made improvements to the processing plant.

Mining giant BHP Group has reached a settlement with the train driver who was fired over a huge derailment in Western Australia's Pilbara region last year.

Evolution Mining has purchased a 19.9 per cent stake in Tribune Resources, which holds a major interest in the East Kundana project operated by Northern Star Resources.

SPECIAL REPORT: The information listed explorers disseminate via traditional news outlets and social media is a growing focus of regulators.

SPECIAL REPORT: Junior explorers are coming under increasing pressure to merge as tough market conditions hit many in the sector.

Millennium Minerals has announced a $15 million rights issue, with the proceeds set to go towards the development of its Nullagine gold project.

Macmahon has reported a strong half-yearly result, but MACA and GR Engineering have seen their profit plunge compared to the prior corresponding period.

Talisman Mining has announced a $29 million capital return to shareholders in the form of a 15.625 cent per share dividend, following the sale of the company’s 30 per cent interest in the Springfield copper-gold project located in the Doolgunna region.

Bellevue Gold has raised $20 million via a share placement, with the funds to go towards drilling at its namesake project located near the Goldfields town of Leinster.

Ausdrill has announced a strong first-half result, which the company attributed to its acquisition of Barminco.

Shares in Mineral Resources fell sharply early today befor recovering some lost ground, after the company reported an interim net profit of $13 million, due in part to an unrealised loss on its stake in Pilbara Minerals.

Wesfarmers is handing more than $1 billion of the cash it raised by demerging Coles and selling other assets back to shareholders in the form of a special dividend.

Kalium Lakes is a step closer to starting construction on its Beyondie potash project near Newman after receiving $74 million in funding, making it the latest in a string of mining companies to win financial backing from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.

Shares in NRW Holdings and Seven Group Holdings were stronger today after reporting improved earnings on the back of strong resources and infrastructure markets, with NRW adding its first interim dividend in five years.

Intrepid Mines and AIC Resources have agreed to a revised merger deal, less than three weeks after Intrepid’s initial attempt to acquire the Subico-based gold junior lapsed.

Fortescue Metals Group has reported a 5 per cent dip in half-year profit, but blew past estimates as it won higher prices for its iron ore, pushing its shares to a two-year high.

BHP Group has posted an 8 per cent fall in first-half underlying profit to $US3.7 billion ($5.2 billion), which it attributed to production disruptions and lower commodity prices.

Saracen Mineral Holdings has announced a 17 per cent profit rise, but its shares closed nearly 10 per cent lower.

Sandfire Resources has reported a first-half profit fall of 18.8 per cent, which the gold and copper miner said was due to increased exploration and project costs.

Monadelphous has posted a lower first-half profit but its share price has risen on the back of a positive outlook for the engineering firm.

Wintawari Guruma Aboriginal Corporation has failed in its attempt to overturn a key state government ruling concerning Fortescue Metals Group’s Eliwana iron ore project.

Warren Hallam has been tapped as the new managing director of Capricorn Metals, as the company ramps-up the development of its flagship Karlawinda gold project.

Monadelphous has secured a $108 million contract on BHP Group's South Flank project, while Clough has won its second contract on the same development. The two contracts will create 700 jobs at South Flank, the largest project underway in WA.

Mining equipment supplier Imdex has announced a half-year profit of $13.5 million, compared with $10.6 million in the corresponding period last year.

Technology Metals Australia has secured $4.5 million via a share placement, with the funds set to advance the definitive feasibility study on its flagship Gabanintha vanadium project, located 40 kilometres south of Meekatharra.

The sale of RCR Tomlinson’s Western Australian operations is complete, with RCR Resources, RCR Power and RCR Water West sold to AvidSys Group for an undisclosed sum.