Mining

Gold has fallen below $US1,200 an ounce as equities rallied and the US dollar steadied, while traders assessed China's new policy measures to shore up the world's second-largest economy and risks that Greece may default.

Oil prices have traded mixed after China slashed bank reserves requirements to get credit flowing more easily in the world's largest energy consumer.

Perth-based oil and gas services company DownUnder GeoSolutions (Dug) has seized the chance to capitalise on what may be Australia’s biggest oil find in decades by commissioning the nation’s largest seismic survey.

MZI Resources says development of its flagship Keysbrook mineral sands project near Serpentine is on track at 44 per cent completion as of the end of March, with first sales on schedule for early 2016.

Mining and metals group Arrium lost almost $9 for every tonne of iron ore it shipped during the first three months of 2015.

Rail and port operator Asciano's chief executive John Mullen is predicting stronger profit growth this year and says the underlying Australian economy is still strong.

Gold company Evolution Mining has finalised its purchase of La Mancha Resources' Australian assets and secured $100 million in financial firepower to continue its growth opportunities.

Copper and gold miner Oz Minerals is on the hunt for acquisitions as part of a major restructure.

Gold has pared gains after data showing US consumer prices rose in March tempered speculation the Federal Reserve will delay its first interest rate rise in nearly a decade.

Junior manganese miner Kaboko Mining has been placed into receivership, nine months after a falling out with its major funding partner, Noble Resources.

Oil and gas explorer Discovery Resources has announced plans to leave the resources industry through the purchase of the Canberra Casino.

Kibaran Resources has kicked off a $5.1 million capital raising to fund ongoing work on its flagship Epanko graphite project in Africa.

Gold steadied around $US1,200 an ounce, paring losses as the US dollar extended its fall.

Oil prices have marked gains for their sixth day running amid signs that US production, a key driver of the global supply glut, may be on the cusp of easing.

The state government's scheme to stimulate mining exploration has provided wide-ranging economic benefit, but the negative effect of falling commodity prices could stifle any further gains, according to modelling by a new report.

Woodside Petroleum chairman Michael Chaney has set himself an ambitious goal, telling shareholders he wants to more than double the number of women on the company’s board over the next two years.

Orinoco Gold will make the transition from explorer to producer after receiving approval from its board to begin developing an underground mine at its Cascavel project in Brazil.

Energy giant Woodside Petroleum has warned a long downturn in oil prices will reduce its profit and shareholder payouts.

La Mancha Resources has signed an agreement to acquire up to 70 per cent of Perth-based explorer Intermin Resources’ Binduli gold project near Kalgoorlie.

Fortescue Metals Group has achieved a significant reduction in costs, giving it hope of staving off losses due to the fall in iron ore prices.

Gold has risen one per cent to above $US1,200 an ounce, as the US dollar turned weak late in the session after weaker-than-expected US economic data, while stronger US and European stocks limited the metal's upside.

US oil prices have shot up to a 2015 peak after a slight dip in US oil production sparked talk that the glutted petroleum market could be turning.

Stratum Metals has become the sixth Western Australian company to cancel a backdoor listing deal in the past year, with the Nedlands-based business reviewing its future options, including plans for the East Menzies gold project, after walking away from a planned reverse takeover of a US technology venture.

The corporate watchdog has banned stockbroker Anton Kerstens from providing financial services for five years, following an investigation that found he had manipulated the share price of Perth-based uranium explorer Cauldron Energy.

IMX Resources has signed an offtake deal with a Chinese enterprise for graphite concentrate from its Chilalo project in Tanzania.

Gold and copper miner PanAust has rejected a state owned Chinese company's $1.1 billion takeover bid, describing the offer as inadequate.

Lower oil prices and sales coupled with a natural disaster contributed to a 20.1 per cent slide in Woodside Petroleum’s revenue for the March quarter, but wrapping up its Apache Corporation asset purchase lifted contingent reserves by 151 per cent.

Gold cut losses on Tuesday, as the dollar turned lower after US retail sales and producer prices data came in weaker than expected, but prices remained below $US1,200 an ounce on higher equities.

Global oil prices have risen for the fourth straight day, with US prices jumping after a government report predicted a drop in US shale-oil production.

The national interest comes a distant second to self-preservation when states’ economies take a turn for the worse.

The Water Corporation is cutting 10 per cent of its workforce, with about 300 full-time jobs to go, as it reduces the amount of capital investment.in new infrastructure.

Mining contractor Maca has suffered another blow to its order book, with Sinosteel Midwest Corporation announcing plans to halt operations at its Blue Hills hematite project in the Mid West after failing to gain environmental approval for an expansion.