Mining

Copper-gold explorer Bryah Resources has wrapped up its first day of trading on the ASX, after completing a $5 million initial public offering.

Rio Tinto says it lifted third quarter iron ore shipments from its Pilbara operations by slightly more than expected on the back of an improvement in rail capacity and performance.

SPECIAL REPORT: Mitsui & Company, Shell and Itochu Corporation are among a swag of businesses that have made substantial investments in the state’s exporting industries over the decades, showing that foreign investors can contribute without directly operating assets.

SPECIAL REPORT: Ten lithium projects under construction or in advanced planning to bring new lithium supply onto the market will dramatically boost exports of the commodity in coming years.

SPECIAL REPORT: Roy Hill Holdings and Chevon have joined the likes of Rio Tinto, BHP, Woodside and CBH Group in an updated ranking of WA’s largest exporters in the BNiQ Search Engine.

Gold-focused Evolution Mining has lifted production and cut costs in the September quarter, helped by a strong performance at its Cowal mine in NSW and Ernest Henry and Mt Carlton mines in Queensland, coupled with the sale of its Edna May mine in Western Australia.

Mining contractor Barminco has reported a $98.7 million net loss for the 12 months to June, with contract issues during the year partially offset by improved performance in its Africa-focused joint venture.

US company Tronox has gained state government backing for the development of two mineral sands mines north of Perth, to support its value-added manufacturing operations at Kwinana.

Aspiring lithium miner Lepidico has attracted backing from Galaxy Resources as part of a $7 million capital raising, while Northern Minerals and Musgrave Resources have tapped their respective investors for a combined $7 million.

Perth-based New Century Resources has locked in a $58 million debt facility agreement with investment firm Sprott, to fund the restarting of operations at its Century zinc mine in Queensland.

Premier Mark McGowan says the Liberal Party has been grossly irresponsible by voting to block the gold royalty hike and is urging them to reverse the decision.

A consortium that includes local investment group Viburnum has acquired Queensland-based MPC Group, formerly known as Murphy Pipe and Civil Group, for an undisclosed sum.

Treasurer Ben Wyatt has lashed the opposition for not backing the proposed gold royalty hike, which is now set to fail in parliament, claiming the Liberal Party has opposed more than $1 billion in budget repair measures.

Local explorer Riversgold has begun trading on the ASX after raising $6.1 million from investors by way of an initial public offer.

Takeover target Aphrodite Gold has flagged an impairment charge of up to $19 million against its self-titled gold project near Kalgoorlie, but says it will not affect the value of its all-scrip merger with Perth-based Spitfire Materials.

Subiaco-based Lucapa Diamond Company has secured a $US15 million ($A19 million) debt financing facility for development of its Mothae project in Lesotho, southern Africa.

The Environmental Protection Authority has recommended approval of Sheffield Resources’ Thunderbird mineral sands project in the Kimberley, subject to a number of strict conditions.

Local resources executive Vanessa Guthrie has been appointed to the board of uranium explorer Vimy Resources as a nominated representative of fund manager Resource Capital Funds.

An Indonesian consortium has announced its intention to make an off-market takeover bid for copper miner Finders Resources, with the all-cash deal valuing the target at about $177 million.

Lithium-focused Altura Mining has raised $26 million from investors as it prepares for a second-stage development of its flagship project in the Pilbara.

A joint venture between local junior explorers Conico and Barra Resources is positive on a released scoping study for its Mt Thirsty cobalt-nickel project near Norseman, which is expected to cost $212 million to develop.

Heavy mineral sands explorer Strandline Resources says it will cost $US30 million ($A38 million) to bring its Fungoni project in Tanzania into production.

Lithium explorer Argosy Minerals has announced a $17 million capital raising that will replace a previously announced $26 million investment in the business by a Chinese offtake partner.

Ten gold sector leaders spoke in unison today about the damage they believe will flow from the state government’s hike in royalties, and also made clear they are targeting the Liberal Party to block the change.

The state’s largest iron ore mine Roy Hill hit its nameplate capacity for the first time last month, according to Roy Hill Holdings chief executive Barry Fitzgerald, while the exact cost of the project so far has been revealed.

Lithium hopeful Birimian has released a pre-feasibility study on its Goulamina project in Mali, with five development scenarios that range the capex between $US87 million ($A110 million) and $US412 million ($A524 million).

ANALYSIS: A forecast global surge into electric cars and buyers’ growing preference for the state’s hard rock lithium ore is putting a rocket into the sector.

Empire Resources has become Western Australia’s newest gold producer, after achieving its first gold pour from its Penny’s Find mine near Kalgoorlie.

Chinese company Tianqi Lithium and its head contractor MSP Engineering are on track to achieve 80 per cent Western Australian content on two big construction projects worth more than $700 million.

Tech company Hazer Group has entered into a collaboration agreement with diversified business Mineral Resources, for development of a facility to produce synthetic graphite.

The premier has dismissed claims that almost 3,000 jobs would be lost under the state government’s planned gold royalty hike, after a report claimed that five existing mines were at risk of closing if the royalty was enacted.

A pre-feasibility study on Kalium Lakes’ Beyondie sulphate of potash project in the Pilbara has detailed a $220 million capex to bring the asset into production.