Mining

Former Paladin Energy boss John Borshoff has emerged as chief executive of another local uranium-focused company, Deep Yellow.

Monadelphous Group and Lycopodium will leverage each others’ strengths to target engineering, procurement and construction projects in the minerals processing sector under a new joint venture.

Local businessman Peter Landau will be subjected to more court action after China-controlled Nkwe Platinum filed a $2.5 million law suit in the Supreme Court of Western Australia.

Local gold miner Northern Star Resources has entered into a joint venture agreement to acquire a major stake in Pioneer Resources' Acra gold project near Kalgoorlie in a deal worth up to $3.5 million.

BHP Billiton chairman Jac Nasser has announced he will step down next year after more than 10 years on the board, on the same day the resources giant rejected charges by Brazilian prosecutors filed against the company and its employees in relation the Samarco dam disaster.

Diversified miner South32 has reported a 4 per cent fall in manganese ore production in the first quarter of 2017, but says its on track to achieve its cost guidance for the majority of its production.

Gold Road Resources has released its feasibility study on the Gruyere gold project near Laverton, which has detailed a $52 million increase in capital costs and a longer mine life.

Rio Tinto has slightly trimmed the full-year guidance for iron ore shipments from its Pilbara operations by up to 5 million tonnes, after port and rail maintenance affected shipments in the September quarter.

Fortescue Metals Group has pushed down costs and debt further after reporting higher iron ore shipments in the September quarter.

Rox Resources’ joint venture partner Teck Australia has matched a competing bid for the company’s stake in the Reward zinc-lead project in the Northern Territory for up to $20.6 million.

BHP Billiton has reaffirmed its full-year production guidance across all its segments, other than copper, as it sees early signs of a recovery in the commodities markets.

Blackham Resources has achieved first production at its Matilda gold mine near Wiluna four months after receiving final approvals.

Rio Tinto has hit back at accusations by Nationals WA leader Brendon Grylls that large miners had failed to live up to their contractual obligations in state agreements with the government, after he stepped up his campaign to increase taxes on iron ore production today.

Perth mining hopeful Acacia Coal will buy a 74 per cent interest in a South African metallurgical coal project from a subsidiary of Rio Tinto and undertake a $2 million capital raising, it announced today.

Saracen Mineral Holdings has attracted AngloGold Ashanti for a farm-in agreement for its Carosue Dam North gold project near Kalgoorlie, valued at $25 million.

A local gold company founded by prominent prospector Denis O'Meara hopes to begin trading on the ASX by the end of next month after completing a $10 million initial public offering.

The Environmental Protection Authority has recommended approval of BC Iron’s extension plans at its Iron Valley mine near Newman.

Sybrandt Van Dyk has announced his resignation as chief executive of Macmahon Holdings, with general manager of surface mining Michael Finnegan to succeed him as head of the local contractor.

Pilbara Minerals has announced the purchase of several long-lead items for its Pilgangoora lithium project to remain on track with its planned commissioning date next year.

The head contractor on the Roy Hill project has won two out of five determinations in the latest instalment in its legal dispute with sub-contractor Duro Felguera today, but Samsung C&T was still told to pay Duro $12 million out of more than $60 million that had been sought.

Shares in junior miner Excelsior Gold were pummelled today after the company's new board revealed the full extent of operational issues at its flagship Kalgoorlie North mine.

The state’s resources industry has applauded Federal Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce’s public opposition to the WA Nationals’ planned mining tax changes, which drew return fire from Brendon Grylls.

Iron ore miner BC Iron has confirmed a $25.5 million capital raising backed by major shareholder Kerry Stokes to fund work at its Buckland project and pay off debt.

Local explorer Empire Resources is set to begin operations at its Penny’s Find gold project near Kalgoorlie, after contracting NRW Holdings to undertake mining operations at the open pit.

Perth-based contractor Macmahon Holdings has flagged a hit to its earnings for the year after terminating its contract in Nigeria and incurring losses at Newcrest Mining’s Telfer gold mine in WA.

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management has been appointed by the corporate watchdog to sell a portion of shares in Sovereign Gold Company held by former Applabs Technologies directors which were found to have been acquired invalidly.

Curtin University has announced a collaboration agreement with Victora-based Gekko Systems to commercialise new technology designed to make gold processing more efficient.

Mozambique-focused graphite explorer Metals of Africa has recruited former Atlas Iron boss David Flanagan as its new chairman.

BHP Billiton expects renewable energy to grow at the higher end of expectations but says non-renewable fuels will remain the lowest cost sources in major energy markets for the foreseeable future.

Troubled iron ore miner BC Iron has sold its majority stake in the Nullagine joint venture to Fortescue Metals Group for just $1, along with some royalty payments.

Eastern Goldfields has withdrawn its $6 million share subscription agreement proposal put forward to Windward Resources, following Independence Group’s $20.5 million takeover bid lodged last week.

Two different proposals from the Western Australian government to change the way Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton pay an iron ore charge is already damaging the state's reputation as an investment destination, a business lobby group says.