Fortescue Metals Group has set an ambitious target of having Aboriginal workers fill 20 per cent of all trades positions in its workforce, on the back of an apprenticeship program launched today.
Private equity groups are on track to gain control of two mining operations, after Aditya Birla Minerals sold its mothballed Mt Gordon operation, while Atherton Resources looks set to be acquired in a takeover valued at about $56 million.
One week after a big spike in its share price, Northern Mining has finalised plans to buy a major stake in a China-based gold exploration firm for a cash and share package worth $7.25 million.
The legal fallout from big resources and infrastructure projects continued to mount this week, when Downer terminated its contract on a $1 billion-plus ammonium nitrate plant in the Pilbara.
Newcrest Mining is looking to increase its exploration acreage in West Africa through a proposed joint venture agreement with Perth-based company Taruga Gold, while AngloGold Ashanti has advanced plans to redevelop its Obuasi mine in Ghana.
Mining giant BHP Billiton's chief executive has backed a call for the US to lift its ban on crude oil exports, ahead of a likely vote on the issue in the US Congress.
Gold prices have rallied more than one per cent after a surprise drop in the US inflation rate dented expectations the Federal Reserve will raise its interest rate this week.
Downer has terminated its contract with Spanish construction company Tecnicas Reunidas on the Burrup ammonium nitrate project, joining a string of contractors to be hit by contractual disputes on big projects over the past year.
Rob Cole has resigned as managing director of Adelaide-based Beach Energy, after taking leave to attend to family matters in Perth. His resignation comes just six months after commencing with Beach.
Saracen Mineral Holdings has announced development of the Thunderbox mine is ahead of schedule, while Kidman Resources achieved its first gold pour at the Burbanks mine.
Gold has eased back toward last week's one-month low as US retail sales data lifted the US dollar index, and as caution ahead of this week's Federal Reserve announcement on interest rates keeps buyers on the sidelines.
Local exploration firms Impact Minerals, Lucapa Diamond Company, and General Mining Corporation have taken in a combined $8.4 million from successful capital raisings.
Gold has turned slightly higher, clawing above the prior session's one-month low on uncertainty ahead of a Federal Reserve policy meeting that will be scrutinised for clarity on when the US central bank will raise interest rates.
World crude prices have extended their losses, pressured by persistent concerns about the global supply glut as OPEC lowered its demand growth forecast for next year.
Australia is a step closer to its first Aboriginal-owned and operated iron ore mine, after a deal sealed today between Fortescue Metals Group and Australian Aboriginal Mining Corporation.
Poseidon Nickel says it is considering a potential restart of operations at its mothballed Silver Swan mine, after plans to sell the asset to Tony Sage’s Caeneus Minerals for $2.7 million fell through.
Gold has fallen to a one-month low, heading for a third successive weekly loss, as uncertainty over the timing of the US Federal Reserve's first interest rate increase in nearly a decade weighed on appetite for the metal.
Perth security company Threat Protect Australia marked its listing on the ASX today with news it has completed due diligence on one of two planned acquisitions.
Gold miner Doray Minerals has painted a positive outlook for its expanding operations after reporting a small increase in underlying profit for the year to June 2015.
Woodside Petroleum’s ambitious play for Oil Search is a rare example of a Perth-based company being the bidder in a big takeover. Click through to see Business News’ listing and analysis of $1 billion-plus M&A deals in WA over the past 20 years.
