Mining

Blackham Resources has locked in a $72 million funding deal with US-based investment group Lind Partners, which will be used to progress expansion plans at its Matilda gold mine.

Junior explorer Lithium Australia has announced plans to acquire a Brisbane-based battery cathode developer in an all-scrip deal worth about $7.3 million.

Doray Minerals has flagged a $71.7 million net loss for the 2017 financial year, on the back of a large impairment charge.

Copper-gold miner Sandfire Resources has announced a record dividend payout after a profitable 12 months.

Gold miner Blackham Resources has outlined a potential $114 million investment in its Matilda operation to boost production beyond 200,000 ounces a year, despite failing to hit its initial forecasts since production began in late 2016.

Northern Minerals has locked in a $US30 million ($A38 million) research and development loan facility with a US-based financier, as it progresses development of its Browns Range heavy rare earths project.

Chinese company Citic has recorded a first-half loss at the Sino Iron magnetite mine in the Pilbara, while warning that the ongoing tussle with tenement holder, Clive Palmer’s Mineralogy, means production at the project could eventually be suspended.

Mining services business Ausdrill has launched a $100 million capital raising to bolster its balance sheet, as it anticipates further growth in its African operations, and negotiated an expanded debt facility.

Atlas Iron has swung to a full-year profit as a rebound in iron ore prices helped the junior miner recover from losses following a write-down a year earlier.

The state government has named the 43 successful applicants that will share in about $5 million for exploration drilling programs, with over half of those being gold projects.

Poseidon Nickel has entered into an agreement with Northern Star Resources to explore the use of its Black Swan operation to process gold ore.

Dacian Gold has lined up Zenith Energy to build, own and operate a gas-fired power station at its Mt Morgans gold project near Laverton, and signed a $57 million, 10-year contract with gas pipeline operator APA Group.

GR Engineering Services says it will continue to pursue legal action against Eastern Goldfields over its work at the Davyhurst operation, while also revealing it would defend Wolf Minerals’ $12.2 million claim notice over a project in England.

A company has been fined $65,000 after a mine worker in the Goldfields region narrowly escaped with his life during a site accident.

Local gold explorer Breaker Resources has announced an $11.5 million capital raising to fund ongoing work at its Lake Roe project near Kalgoorlie.

Mining services business Ausdrill has delivered a solid full-year result on the back of strong performance in its gold operations in Africa, and is targeting further growth in the year ahead.

NRW Holdings is in line to receive a $111 million contract for work on OZ Minerals’ Carrapateena gold-copper project in South Australia, which today was given the green light for development.

A recovery in commodities prices and ongoing cost reductions have helped diversified miner South32 swing to a solid full-year profit.

BHP Billiton has announced the appointment of outgoing Wesfarmers finance director Terry Bowen to its board.

Monadelphous Group has continued to refine its business as it deals with tough conditions in its core Australian market, revealing today it has closed a US joint venture, opened a workshop in Houston, expanded its operations in Manila and acquired a fabrication business in Newcastle.

Nickel miner Western Areas has returned to profitability and delivered a dividend payout, with plans to increase its exploration spending in the year ahead.

Eastern Goldfields and migme are among a number of companies to have missed paying their annual ASX listing fees, risking removal from the register.

Gold miner Northern Star Resources has outlined its new dividend policy after achieving a record profit result for the 2017 financial year.

BHP Billiton has joined its peers in sharply lifting dividends as stronger prices for iron ore, coal and petroleum helped the global miner post a solid return to profitability.

The share price of Balcatta-based Imdex hit its highest level in four years today after the mining equipment and technology company reported a strong improvement in earnings.

The restructuring of Paladin Energy has taken a surprise turn after Chinese group CNNC Overseas Uranium Holdings advised it would not exercise an option to buy the Langer Heinrich uranium mine.

Fortescue Metals has flagged it will sustain higher payouts for shareholders after a rebound in iron prices and lower costs helped it more than double full-year profit.

Local exploration company Top End Minerals, with the backing of prominent prospector Mark Creasy, has received shareholder approval to raise funds for the purchase of a zinc project in Myanmar and repay its creditors, as it deals with a number of issues left unresolved by its previous board.

GR Engineering Services has requested its shares be suspended from trading on the ASX while it assesses the impact of Eastern Goldfield’s now-retracted wind-up order, as well as a £7.5 million ($A12.2 million) bond claim notice lodged by Wolf Minerals.

Aspiring heavy rare earths miner Northern Minerals has raised $2.5 million from investors to fund ongoing development of its Browns Range project in the Kimberley.

The Supreme Court of Western Australia has reversed its decision to wind-up Eastern Goldfields after it was revealed the relevant debt of $383,000 was paid on the same day the winding-up application was lodged.

Sheffield Resources has launched an indigenous employment program for its Thunderbird mineral sands project near Derby, as it deals with an appeal by a local Aboriginal group against recent project approvals.