Mining

Private equity investor Potentia Capital has acquired a majority stake in Nedlands-based Micromine, eight months after the mining software developer hired PwC to find a new owner.

WestStar Industrial has won a $4.5 million contract with Rio Tinto for works at the Cape Lambert port facility, taking the local contractor's order book to $30 million.

The state government has selected former Rio Tinto boss and current Mitsui & Co director Sam Walsh as the new chair of Perth Mint operator Gold Corporation.

BHP is handing back the last of the $US5.2 billion from the sale of its onshore US assets through a special dividend.

SPECIAL REPORT: Three businessmen will have more impact than most on the state's economic future, with Peter Coleman leading an oil and gas revival, Chris Ellison building a lithium empire, and Rob Scott reshaping Wesfarmers.

SPECIAL REPORT: In business and philanthropy, executive diversity and on the sports field, it has been quite a year for Andrew Forrest.

Subiaco-based Birimian has announced plans to raise $8.2 million for its Goulamina project in Mali, while the lithium aspirant also flagged a business review and two separate agreements with Chinese companies.

A revised feasibility study released by Explaurum has detailed a reduced capital cost of $111 million for its Tampia project in the Wheatbelt, as Ramelius Resources increased its stake in the gold explorer to 20 per cent.

Gold aspirant Capricorn Metals has locked in a $107 million debt package, while Subiaco-based TNG has appointed a German bank to lead a $US600 million ($850 million) debt raising.

Ramelius Resources has revised its hostile takeover offer for gold-focused Explaurum, adding a 2 cents per share sweetener to its original deal.

Diversified family business CFC Group has registered a big jump in profit for the 2018 financial year, aided by strong performances across its three primary operations.

MACA has been awarded a $28 million contract for work at Adaman Resources' Kirkalocka gold project near Mt Magnet.

Alumina producer Alcoa of Australia has signed three supply deals with BHP Group, Woodside Petroleum and Chevron to provide about 23 petajoules of gas between them annually from 2020 for its Western Australian refineries.

WestStar Industrial has secured an $8 million contract for construction work at Tianqi Lithium's Kwinana processing plant.

Local gold explorers Intermin Resources and MacPhersons Resources have announced plans for a $62 million merger to form Horizon Minerals, which will hold significant assets in the Kalgoorlie region.

Resources veteran Ian Burston has called time on his career at the age of 83, after retiring as chairman of iron ore-focused Kogi Iron.

Opinion: Two high-profile billionaires have the state government in their sights, and Premier Mark McGowan has some tough decisions ahead.

The $6 billion Balla Balla infrastructure project has experienced two setbacks, with the deadline for meeting its obligations under a State Agreement extended by 18 months and recent exploration work failing to live up to promise.

Kidman Resources has reached a settlement with parties in relation to a minimum expenditure obligation for a series of tenements at its Mt Holland project near Southern Cross.

Sheffield Resources has announced plans to raise up to $19 million, enabling the company to formally evaluate potential strategic partners for its Thunderbird mineral sands project in the Kimberley.

Pindan has been awarded a $45 million contract to build a 780-room construction camp at Rio Tinto's $3.5 billion Koodaideri project in the Pilbara.

Peter Bradford-led Independence Group has taken a $4 million stake in junior explorer Buxton Resources.

Westgold Resources has tapped investors for $23.4 million, while also announcing the sale of its lithium royalties at Mt Marion and Buldania for $15 million.

Gold miner Tribune Resources has purchased Singapore-based explorer Prometheus Developments in a deal worth $30.3 million.

Gold Road Resources has increased the forecast annual output for its half-owned $621 million Gruyere gold project, while confirming first production remains on track for mid-2019.

Three local exploration companies have tapped investors for up to $60 million, led by a $48.2 million capital raising from West African Resources for its Sanbrado gold project in Burkina Faso.

Echo Resources has signed a letter of intent to award two mining contracts to MACA for its Yandal gold project near Leinster, while also announcing a $6.5 million capital raising backed by major shareholder Northern Star Resources.

Explaurum has asked shareholders to accept an $8 million placement from Alkane Resources on the same day a report from independent expert BDO said a hostile takeover bid from Ramelius Resources undervalued the gold explorer.

Perth rich lister and Mineral Resources director Tim Roberts has bought a $29.6 million stake in the diversified mining company.

A state government report released today on Fifo mental health has prompted an immediate response, with the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA and mental health organisation Lifeline WA announcing a new partnership.

thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions Australia will design and build the world's largest rail-mounted stackers in Western Australia after winning a $250 million contract for BHP Group's $4.6 billion South Flank iron ore project.

Valmec has secured $25 million worth of construction contracts, including at Mineral Resources' Wodgina project, while fellow local contractor Weststar Industrial was awarded a $4 million contract at Rio Tinto's West Angelas mine near Newman.