Mining

Shares in Sultan Resources began trading on the ASX today, after the company raised $4.8 million via an initial public offering.

West Perth-based Neometals will demerge its Barrambie vanadium and titanium project early next year, as the businesses gears up for a final investment decision on its planned Kalgoorlie lithium hydroxide refinery in mid-2019.

Gold Road Resources has announced the retirement of long-standing chief executive Ian Murray, with former AngloGold Ashanti general manager Duncan Gibbs set to take the reins.

Chris Ellison-led Mineral Resources has posted a big increase in profit to $272 million for the 2018 financial year, helped by a strong performance in the company’s mining services division.

Ausdrill has announced its first major acquisition since the retirement of founder Ron Sayers last month, with the company set to purchase mining services contractor Barminco in a cash and scrip deal worth $271.5 million, while also announcing a $250 million capital raising.

Copper-focused Tempus Resources is set to list on the ASX tomorrow, after the company raised $5 million via an initial public offering.

Resources logistics company Bis has appointed former Broadspectrum chief executive Graeme Hunt as its new chairman to replace the retiring Charles Lenegan, while non-executive director John Beevers is also retiring.

Nearly 140 major projects are either under way or planned for WA, new research by Business News has found. Click through to access the new list on the BNiQ Search Engine.

A joint venture between Perth companies Ausdrill and Barminco has been awarded a $US160 million ($220 million) mining services contract for Roxgold in West Africa.

GR Engineering Services will receive an $8.3 million payout from Eastern Goldfields, more than a year after launching proceedings in the Supreme Court in relation to a contract dispute at the miner’s Davyhurst operation.

The loss of iron ore haulage contracts with Cliffs Natural Resources and Mount Gibson Iron is expected to dent rail operator Aurizon’s earnings by about $50 million in the 2019 financial year.

MOD Resources has increased the capacity of its planned processing plant at the T3 copper project in Botswana, while also appointing a lead engineer for the feasibility study, along with debt advisers for the project.

Rio Tinto is exploring a public listing of its Iron Ore Company of Canada business, banking and industry sources say, as it focuses on boosting revenue from its flagship Australian assets.

About 1,500 Alcoa of Australia workers are striking across the company’s Western Australian operations, with attempts to establish a new enterprise bargaining agreement with Australian Workers Union members so far failing.

Kewdale-based manufacturer Fero Group appears set to be acquired by global outifit DYWIDAG-Systems International (DSI) Group, after the competition watchdog said it would not oppose the deal.

Altura Mining has decided not to pursue a takeover from its largest shareholder, after its corporate adviser Citigroup began investigating a potential transaction in April.

Police in Western Australia have revealed the elaborate lengths thieves went to in a bid to steal gold from Northern Star Resources' Kanowna Belle mine near Kalgoorlie.

Operations at Doray Minerals’ Deflector gold-copper mine in the Murchison region have been halted after a fire broke out at the site early this morning.

The trade war between the world’s two biggest economies is the latest sign of potential economic trouble just over the horizon.

WA-based Azark Projects is calling on the federal government to review its preference for a nuclear waste storage facility in South Australia, with the George Gear-led company proposing Leonora as a more suitable location.

Perth-based conglomerate Wesfarmers has sold its stake in the Bengalla coal mine in NSW, continuing a major reshaping of its portfolio after the sale last year of another coal mine and the planned spin-off of its Coles business.

Echo Resources has released a bankable feasibility study for its Yandal gold project in Western Australia, with the company forecasting a $39.3 million capital expenditure for the mine.

Four local mining companies have announced new chief executives as the industry shifts its focus to the annual Diggers & Dealers conference in Kalgoorlie, which kicked off today.

Fortescue Metals Group has reduced its stake in Atlas Iron but crucially still holds more than 10 per cent, meaning Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting will not be able to acquire full ownership of the takeover target.

UPDATED: Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting announced late Friday it has increased its stake in takeover target Atlas Iron to 56 per cent, giving it effective control, and extended its $390 million offer for two weeks.

Pilbara Minerals has released a definitive feasibility study for the planned stage-two expansion at its Pilgangoora lithium-tantalum project, with chief executive Ken Brinsden confident the $231 million upgrade will go ahead.

Regis Resources has approved a $29.4 million expansion at its Duketon gold project, which is expected to add 570,000 ounces over a five-year mine life.

Osborne Park-based Georgiou Group has been awarded an $18.7 million contract to construct a privately-funded traffic bridge carrying Great Northern Highway over the Roy Hill rail line, located approximately 25 kilometres south-west of Port Hedland.

Copper-focused MOD Resources has announced it is seeking a dual listing on the London Stock Exchange to increase its international profile and improve access to capital in the UK.

Australia’s resources industry has posted record exports of $220 billion for the 2018 financial year, as the country’s trade surplus rose to $1.8 billion, according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Three Western Australian gold miners have outlined their growth plans, with Saracen Mineral Holdings announcing a 20 per cent increase in reserves, Northern Star Resources unveiling a $60 million exploration budget, and Red 5 targeting annual production of more than 100,000 ounces.

The environmental watchdog has recommended approval to TSX-listed LeadFX to restart the Paroo Station lead mine near Wiluna, which was placed on care and maintenance in 2015.