Mining

The Pilbara Ports Authority lifted throughput to a record 619.8 million tonnes in 2014-15, primarily on the back of a 21 per cent jump in iron ore shipments through Port Hedland offsetting a small decline at Dampier.

Gold and copper miner Geopacific Resources has launched a $23 million capital raising to fund an exploration program at its Kou Sa project in Cambodia.

Oil prices have changed little, a day after precipitous falls, as traders worried about a global glut and the first rise in the US oil-rig count this year.

Gold has rebounded slightly from an earlier three-and-a-half-month low after data showed the US labour market was weaker in June than expected, indicating that the Federal Reserve may hold off from raising interest rates in September.

Rio Tinto chief executive Sam Walsh has shrugged off pessimistic iron ore forecasts, saying there will be a happy ending for the steel-making commodity.

Atlas Iron has reopened its Mount Webber iron ore mine, marking the recommencement of mining at all three of the company’s Pilbara operations after shutting them less than three months ago.

Mining services company Tempo Australia has been awarded about $5 million in new work and contract extensions for mining giants BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto’s Pilbara operations.

Sandalwood plantation operator TFS Corporation has reaffirmed its expectation of a net profit of at least $90 million for the 2014-15 financial year.

Gold has fallen, as the US dollar strengthens and hopes for progress in the Greek crisis revive after the country told international creditors Athens could accept their bailout offer if some conditions were changed.

Oil prices have tumbled as traders weighed Greece's deepening debt crisis and a surprise increase in US crude-oil inventories.

One day after a reported 100 workers lost their jobs at the Ellendale diamond mine, Kimberley Diamonds has announced the mine has been closed and its subsidiary Kimberley Diamond Company placed in voluntary administration.

The government of the Republic of Cameroon is planning to seek funding from China for the rail and port infrastructure at Sundance Resources' Mbalam-Nabeba iron ore project, allowing the Perth company to focus just on the mine development.

A management buy-out of a slice of executive search firm Gerard Daniels in 2007 led to the creation of recruitment consultant Harrier Human Capital.

International oil executive Michael Fischer has been named Nido Petroleum’s new managing director.

The mining arm of Cimic Group has won a $137 million operations contract at the Encuentro Oxides open pit copper mine in Chile, in partnership with local mining equipment supplier Emeco Holdings.

Woodside Petroleum has stuck with its planned timetable for the Browse gas project, announcing today it has reached agreement with its joint venture partners to commence front-end engineering and design ahead of a final investment decision by the end of 2016.

Oil prices have rebounded as Iran and six major powers extended a deadline for reaching a nuclear deal that could add Iranian oil to an oversupplied global market.

Gold prices have fallen as the prospect that Greece will default on a repayment to the International Monetary Fund knocked the euro against the US dollar, and as investors remain wary over the metal's longer-term prospects.

Northern Star Resources and St Barbara have led mining industry support for research projects that link CSIRO and university scientists seeking ways to extend the life of existing gold mines, reveal new deposits and improve processing efficiency.

The value of Australian iron ore exports is expected to fall next year as strong growth in production volumes is offset by a slump in prices to a forecast $US52.10 per tonne in 2016.

Kimberley Diamonds is poised to launch a major restructure and capital raising to help shore up its business.

An investment company chaired by Perth businessman Farooq Khan has made an off-market $8 million cash bid for full ownership of Strike Resources, and may seek opportunities for the business outside the resources sector.

Perth-based explorer Auroch Minerals has sold its Mozambique gold assets to Xtract Resources for a cash and share package worth $US12.5 million ($A16.3million).

Oil prices have dropped in the US, joining other global markets in retreat on the looming threat of a Greek debt default.

Gold has firmed, as the prospect of a Greek debt default hit global shares, offsetting wariness among investors over the metal's longer-term outlook.

Domestic processing of lithium could provide a value-adding opportunity for an industry WA already dominates.

Embattled mining company Atlantic has announced the resignation of its chief executive, Daniel Harris.

Sadleirs Logistics, a subsidiary of Western Australia’s oldest family-owned business, has won a contract to supply mainland transport services to Chevron’s operations in the Pilbara for an undisclosed sum.

Oil and gas explorer New Standard Energy has freed itself of debt after selling its Cooper Basin and US assets to Sundance Energy in a deal valued at $24 million.

Plans by Emeco Holdings to diversify and accelerate its growth through M&A deals have come to naught, after the mining equipment supplier announced today its agreed takeover of Perth company RentCo and its merger discussions with Queensland competitor Orionstone had both been terminated.

Gold has closed little changed, after falling to a three-week low, on short-covering at the end of the week and caution ahead of crunch talks on Greece, while concerns over the longer-term outlook for the metal provides price pressure.

The state government has deferred the introduction of any cost-recovery fees for processing mining, exploration and prospecting applications.