Mining

Production has declined at uranium player Paladin Energy's biggest mine after a well failed, but the company is upbeat about the prospects of exports to Japan and India.

Loss making mining services contractor Macmahon Holdings will cut another 40 staff and alter its corporate rosters to cut costs.

Metals explorer TNG has secured a $2 million placement to progress a feasibility study on its planned Mount Peake vanadium project in the Northern Territory.

Gold rose from a three-week low on Thursday, following its biggest drop in over a month on Wednesday, as the dollar retreated on weaker-than-expected US economic data.

Global oil prices have advanced as the Saudi Arabia-led coalition renews airstrikes in Yemen, stoking new supply concerns about the crude-rich Middle East.

Exploration firm Resource Star has announced plans to acquire a 60 per cent interest in a Chinese company which holds an exclusive licence to produce and distribute Candy Crush confectionery in Asia.

Fortescue Metals Group shares surged today after it surprised the market by completing a $US2.3 billion ($A2.9 billion) debt refinancing, while also benefiting from a much-needed lift in iron ore prices.

Sandfire Resources shares moved higher after the copper and gold producer increased production at its DeGrussa mine.

Maca and GR Engineering Services have become the preferred contractors for work at Cassini Resources’ Nebo-Babel nickel project while also committing to the mining company’s $8 million capital raising.

Treasurer Joe Hockey has welcomed moves by BHP Billiton to curb iron-ore production, which has boosted prices and in turn the prospect of a better budget outcome.

Sino Gas & Energy Holdings has completed an $80 million capital raising to fund a development plan for its onshore gas projects in China.

Mining services company Viento Group has gone into administration, despite having won major new contracts in the past month with iron ore miners BC Iron and Rio Tinto.

BC Iron is struggling to break even as weak prices forced the Pilbara miner to make deeper cost cuts.

Newcrest Mining has produced nearly 9 per cent more gold and received a near-12 per cent better price for it.

US oil prices have fallen after weekly US petroleum data showed higher crude inventories but marginally lower production.

Gold has fallen to its lowest level in more than a week, suffering its sharpest single session loss in more than six weeks after a report showed strong US home sales in March, raising expectations for a June US Federal Reserve interest rate hike.

It may be too soon to expect a woman to take the helm of BHP Billiton, but the iron ore giant has revealed an initiative it hopes will lead to greater gender diversity among its management team

Five weeks after announcing a $7.2 million rights issue, and three weeks after getting a loan from two of its directors, Viento Group has called a trading halt on its shares while it considers funding options.

Liberty Resources is ticking the remaining boxes on its list of requirements to be met for its proposed acquisition of Cirrus Networks, with an independent expert giving the transaction its stamp of approval today, ahead of a shareholders meeting next month.

Global energy companies Chevron, Shell, Inpex and Woodside Petroleum have agreed to jointly fund development of new systems to improve tropical cyclone forecasting in northern Australia.

Fortescue Metals Group has suffered its second credit rating downgrade in a week due to the impact of low iron ore prices.

Regal Resources has entered into an agreement to acquire a 90 per cent interest in several tenements held by Vancouver-based Ivanhoe Mines, in close proximity to its Regal's copper project in Africa.

Copper explorer Avanco Resources has launched a $64 million capital raising to fund construction of its Antas project in Brazil into production.

BHP Billiton has deferred planned capital spending to improve its operations at Port Hedland harbour, after better-than-expected performance from its existing assets enabled the mining giant to lift its production guidance for the current financial year.

Gold have risen past chart resistance, recouping most of the previous session's losses in choppy, currency-driven trade after the US dollar turned lower and bolstered bullion's appeal.

Oil prices have fallen as the Saudi-led coalition announced an end to its military strikes in Yemen.

Atlas Iron has asked for an extension to its share trading suspension as it continues carrying out a review and talking with creditors and contractors.

Perth-based Cape Lambert Resources has told the market that its investments in Timis Mining and African Minerals have hit roadblocks.

Subiaco-based gold company Perseus Mining says it will proceed with plans to develop its Sissingue mine in West Africa, following promising results in a revised feasibility study.

Oil Search has suffered a slump in first quarter revenue because of weaker oil prices and lower production.

Iron ore miner Centaurus Metals says it can no longer afford to develop its Candonga project in Brazil on its own, and will be seeking to either bring in a joint venture partner or sell the mine in order to survive in the tough economic climate.

Rio Tinto's iron ore shipments have fallen 12 per cent during the March quarter, a period when it was largely blamed for oversupplying and pushing down the price of Australia's top export.