Mining

Subiaco-based minerals explorer Avanco Resources has signed an earn-in agreement with Canadian Jaguar Mining for the Gurupi gold project in Brazil, while Spitfire Materials has acquired 100 per cent of a gold project in Western Australia.

Perth-based Lithium Australia has announced plans to raise up to $12.6 million to fund ongoing exploration work at a number of its projects.

Pilbara Minerals plans to expand its Pilgangoora lithium portfolio with the acquisition of Dakota Minerals’ Lynas Find project for up to $8 million.

Continuing investment in major resources projects nearing completion contributed $35 billion to the Western Australian economy in 2015-16, around two thirds of Australia’s resources investment spend in the year, according to the Department of Mines and Petroleum.

Independence Group has put forward a $20.5 million bid for emerging nickel play Windward Resources, competing against a previous deal put forward by Michael Fotios’s Eastern Goldfields.

Mining software supplier Micromine has promoted Claire Tuder to the role of director and chief executive while also establishing an advisory board with two industry veterans.

RCR Tomlinson managing director Paul Dalgleish is no longer a substantial shareholder in the engineering group after selling $5.2 million worth of shares.

Mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton say they have no intention of taking up the state government's offer to change how they pay the controversial iron ore lease rental that Nationals WA leader Brendon Grylls wants to hike.

Heavy earthmoving equipment supplier Emeco Holdings has shrugged off a credit rating downgrade from Fitch Ratings, with managing director Ian Testrow saying the market should focus on the big picture of the company’s merger and restructuring plan.

The board of national mining equipment supplier Bradken has backed a $688 million cash takeover offer from Japan’s Hitachi Machinery Construction Co.

The state government has given its tick of approval for Rio Tinto to develop more iron ore deposits at the mining giant’s Western Turner Syncline operation near Tom Price.

A company has been fined $110,000 over the death of a worker at a mine in Western Australia's East Pilbara region.

Decmil Group has won three contracts worth about $34 million, with two of the contracts awarded to a joint venture established with a local engineering business owned by former Horizon Power boss Rod Hayes.

Western Australia’s largest indigenous contractor has parted ways with chief executive Jeff McGlinn, less than a year after the former NRW Holdings boss was lured out of retirement.

South32 Australian chief operating officer Ricus Grimbeek has pointed to the company's share price performance against BHP Billiton to show that its assets shouldn't be considered poorer quality, speaking at a WA Mining Club lunch today.

Perth-based gold explorer Breaker Resources has confirmed a $12.4 million capital raising to fund ongoing work at its Lake Roe project near Kalgoorlie.

Gold Road Resources has been given the green light to build an accommodation village and an access road at its Gruyere gold project, which it says will cost about $18 million.

Investors have reacted well to news that gold-focused companies Echo Resources and Metaliko Resources will merge in a deal worth $38.9 million.

A couple of smaller miners that rode out the slide in iron ore prices could be the early movers in a more widespread revival in the sector.

Echo Resources and Metaliko Resources are expected to announce a tie-up this week, after the two ASX-listed companies with assets in the eastern Goldfields region announced trading halts today.

Perth-based private mining contractor Barminco has posted a 30.7 per cent rise in operating profit for the 2016 financial year, with the company optimistic about prospects in the gold sector for the year ahead.

Perth-based Crusader Resources has announced a $10 million capital raising to fund ongoing work at its Juruena gold project in Brazil.

A team of researchers in WA are leading an emerging geoscience field that could influence the future of gold recovery.

Lithium projects in Western Australia are set to inject almost $1 billion of new investment into the state's economy as the past year’s surge in commodity prices and stock valuations turn into tangible commercial benefits.

Gold miner Resolute Mining has tapped investors for $150 million to fund the restart of operations at its Ravenswood mine in Queensland.

Fortescue Metals Group has started the search for a new chief financial officer after Stephen Pearce handed in his resignation to pursue an international role, on the same day the iron ore giant announced the appointment of a new director of operations.

Resource Capital Funds is set to emerge with a near 30 per cent stake in Vimy Resources when the uranium company completes a $22 million capital boost to fund ongoing work at its Mulga Rock project in the eastern Goldfields.

Family-owned Tribute Group has been placed in receivership, just two months after winning what appeared to be a company-making contract with BHP Billiton for its accommodation businesses in Newman.

Recently revitalised Eastern Goldfields plans to begin producing gold at its Davyhurst operation by March next year, with the company awarding a $12.5 million contract to GR Engineering Services to bring the nearby processing facility out of care and maintenance.

The parent company of Perth-based mining services company JSW Australia has entered voluntary administration, with representatives of McGrathNicol appointed yesterday.

BHP Billiton’s top Australian executive has stepped up the company’s criticism of the WA Nationals' planned iron ore tax hike, two days after an opinion poll found high support for the proposal.

BC Iron chief executive Alwyn Vorster has joined the board of the iron ore company, and will continue to serve in his current role as well as managing director.