Mining

The recently renamed Avenira is finally realising its potential to become a supplier of phosphate, ticking off a decision to mine at its project in West Africa.

Indigenous contractor Yurra has formed a joint venture with BGC Contracting to provide services to Rio Tinto's rail work in Cape Lambert and Dampier, with the value of the deal undisclosed.

Global miner BHP Billiton has committed to its progressive dividend as it counts the cost of the Brazilian mine disaster, which left 11 people dead.

Northern Iron has entered into voluntary administration after its subsidiary, which operates the Sydvaranger iron project in Norway, filed for bankruptcy.

South 32 chief executive Graham Kerr said the company expected to achieve its targeted operations savings this year, while it announced it would keep South African production at its jointly owned Samancor venture in suspension pending a strategic review.

Arafura Resources has reduced the cost of developing its Nolans rare earths project in the Northern Territory by a further $299 million, with the value of the project now standing at about $1.19 billion.

Explosives maker Orica has flagged improving earnings for this financial year after posting a $1.27 billion full-year loss due to a huge asset writedown.

Wesfarmers will make about 300 national roles redundant, 45 of which are in Western Australia, as part of a restructuring of its industrial and safety division.

BHP Billiton is assessing dams at all its facilities around the world following the deadly dam disaster in Brazil.

Veteran mining executive Tim Netscher will be hoping his golden run continues when he takes the reins as chairman of uranium play Toro Energy this week.

Mining services company Boart Longyear's quarterly losses have widened on weaker volumes and the lower Australian dollar.

The environmental watchdog has given its nod of approval for the proposed expansion of a Hope Downs joint venture-owned iron ore mine near Newman.

A contractor working at Northern Star Resources' Paulsens gold mine has died this morning after becoming ‘seriously unwell'.

Doray Minerals has awarded Maca a $14 million contract for open pit mining work at its Deflector gold project in the Murchison region.

The state government says the shipping capacity of Port Hedland could increase by 16 per cent to 577 million tonnes, opening up the possibility of further growth in iron ore exports through the existing harbour.

Perth-based Programmed Maintenance Services has flagged a $28 million impairment in its first-half result, on the back of a depressed marine services market.

BHP Billiton shares have fallen to a 10-year low as a perfect storm hits the market heavyweight in the wake of the Brazilian mine disaster, which the company said today had claimed the lives of nine people so far.

Graphite-vanadium explorer Triton Minerals has announced an $11.3 million partially-underwritten entitlement offer at 15 cents a share.

Wesfarmers' incoming chairman Michael Chaney will inherit challenging conditions in the conglomerate's industrial and resources division, but continued solid earnings from its retail businesses including Coles and Bunnings.

'Tis the season to be gloomy, that much we know from following financial markets; but an early nominee for the Dr Gloomy prize of the season goes to former ANZ Bank chief economist, Saul Eslake, who said earlier this week that the China-driven mining boom was “the last in human history”.

Australia's largest rail freight operator Aurizon has defended its decision to carry out share buybacks rather than offering a special dividend.

A joint venture that includes Perth-based Macmahon Holdings has won a $US170 million ($A238 million) contract for work at PT Agincourt Resources' Martabe gold project in Indonesia.

BHP Billiton boss Andrew Mackenzie has described as "heartbreaking" the devastation wreaked by a deadly dam burst at a mine in Brazil and pledged to set up an emergency relief fund.

An optimisation study on Bannerman Resources' Etango uranium project has found a 9 per cent reduction in pre-production capital costs to $US793 million ($A1.1 billion).

Friction between the resources industry and the mining town of Newman has escalated following the state's decision to approve an extension for BHP Billiton's 1,200-bed Kurra camp.

The Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association has seized on findings in the recently released International Energy Agency's world energy outlook that natural gas consumption will increase by almost 50 per cent by 2040.

Perth-based Radar Iron is planning an exit from the resources industry through a reverse takeover of Israeli technology company Weebit-Nano.

Macmahon Holdings has won a contract at Newcrest Mining's Telfer gold project in the Pilbara, which is expected to bring in $62 million in annual revenue.

Mount Gibson Iron has lifted its sales targets for fiscal 2016, saying it can navigate through uncertain market conditions.

Fortescue Metals Group chairman Andrew Forrest has strongly criticised the strategies of the state's other major iron ore miners at the company's annual general meeting today, although the board experienced a close shave on its remuneration report.

Goldfields fuel supplier Eagle Petroleum has started legal action against mining company BNM Australia Group over unpaid debts.

Gold miner Beadell Resources has come under new leadership, with the company appointing former Red Back Mining executive Simon Jackson as managing director and chief executive.