Mining

NTM Gold is set to raise up to $3.9 million, while Encounter Resources has raised $1.4 million, as the two juniors seek to advance their exploration projects.

The Queensland government, mining industry and unions will hold urgent crisis talks after six deaths in the state's resources sector this year.

Fortescue Metals Group says it expects to award over $500 million of Eliwana project contracts by the end of year, as construction officially started on the $1.8 billion project today.

Construction costs for many lithium refining projects have been revised up in the past year as proponents rethink the scale and scope of their developments, with Tianqi Lithium's Kwinana project the latest to run higher than forecast.

International consulting group ERM has acquired West Perth-based mining consultancy CSA Global for an undisclosed amount.

West Perth-based Chalice Gold Mines has entered into a binding share purchase and royalty agreement to sell its gold assets in Quebec, Canada.

Shareholders have welcomed Capricorn Metals' announcement it is seeking to raise up to $18.3 million via a share placement and top-up issue, and that Mark Clark and Mark Okeby, both formerly of Regis Resources, have joined the board.

Kalium Lakes is a step closer to a final investment decision on its Beyondie sulphate of potash project, after it received a credit-approved offer from German KfW IPEX-Bank for around $102 million.

Nickel miner Panoramic Resources has entered into a binding agreement to sell its Thunder Bay North platinum group metals project in Canada for $C9 million ($9.8 million).

US company Civeo has acquired Kewdale-based Action Industrial Catering, which counts Fortescue Metals Group, Pilbara Minerals and Western Areas among its major clients.

Macmahon Holdings has responded swiftly to last week's unexpected retirement of two directors, including chairman Jim Walker, by reappointing Vyril Vella to its board.

Gruyere 50/50 joint venture partners Gold Fields and Gold Road Resources have poured first gold at the $621 million project located 200 kilometres east of Laverton.

Triton Minerals has secured a $19.5 million investment from China-based company Jinan Hi-tech, which it said would be used to start early construction works at its Ancuabe graphite project in Mozambique.

The Western Australian government has brokered a $250 million settlement with BHP over a royalties dispute.

Kalium Lakes has awarded Shell Energy the gas supply contract, and APA Group the gas transport contract, for its Beyondie sulphate of potash project.

Eastern Goldfields has been officially reborn, after Ora Banda Mining listed on the ASX today with $15 million cash and no debt.

TNG has signed a binding contract with rail operator Genesee & Wyoming Australia to haul product from the Mount Peake vanadium-titanium-iron mine more than 1100 kilometres to a processing facility in Darwin, Northern Territory.

Macmahon Holdings non-executive director Kim Horne and non-executive chairman Jim Walker have both resigned from the board.

Flinders Mines is launching legal action in the Supreme Court of Western Australia against the owner of stock forum HotCopper Holdings, seeking details of users alleged to have made defamatory statements in relation to the board and company.

The Environmental Protection Authority has recommended conditional environmental approval for Hastings Technology Metals' $427 million Yangibana rare earths project in the Upper Gascoyne.

Emerald Resources has secured a total of $US160 million in finance facilities to fund project development and future acquisitions.

Orion Minerals has released a bankable feasibility study for its Prieska zinc-copper project in South Africa, which details a $378 million capital cost and 2.4 million tonne per annum operation.

Superior Lake Resources has raised $3.78 million via a share placement, while Conico is set to raise $1 million via a rights issue.

Two Aboriginal businesses have been awarded $179 million of contracts by Fortescue Metals Group, with chief executive Elizabeth Gaines saying the miner was focused on practical initiatives to end disparity.

A local junior whose gold and base metals exploration projects in Burkina Faso had to be put on hold amid escalating jihadist violence in the West African country is pivoting to become a rare earth oxide developer.

Sandfire Resources has made a $167 million takeover offer for MOD Resources, just over five months after it made a $94.5 million bid for the junior, with MOD's board backing the improved offer.

Altura Mining has a new major shareholder, after Ningbo Shanshan acquired Shaanxi J&R Optimum Energy's shares in the lithium miner.

AVZ Minerals has increased its stake in the Manono lithium and tin project by 5 per cent for US$5.5 million from Datchom Mining.

Shares in West Perth-based Hylea Metals were up 592 per cent today after the junior announced it acquired a 65 per cent stake in Paladin Energy's Kayelekera uranium mine in Malawi.

Ausdrill's underground contractor subsidiary, Barminco, has been awarded a five-year underground mining services contract at a copper mine in Botswana worth around $800 million.

Flinders Mines shareholders have backed the company's new board of directors and the prospects of a strategic review into infrastructure options for its flagship asset, the Pilbara Iron Ore Project.

Lynas Corporation won't cash in on the sharp short-term increase in rare earths prices related to the US-China trade war, saying it will stick to the long-term strategy it announced last month.