Mining

Shares in gold explorer Rubianna Resources skyrocketed on news it plans to exit the resources industry by acquiring a young cloud-based retail finance business.

The takeover negotiations facing mining equipment supplier Emeco Holdings got more complex today after it received a merger proposal from Queensland-based competitor Orionstone, which has also pushed for Emeco to scrap its planned purchase of truck rental company Rentco.

Investors are welcoming news that Woodside Petroleum has made a gas discovery just north of its Pluto LNG project in the Carnarvon Basin.

Gold miner Evolution Mining says it will make a voluntary debt repayment of $35 million as a falling Australian dollar helps it generate cash.

Gold has edged lower as the US dollar recovers and global shares rise, but uncertainty about the timing of a US interest rate increase has $kept bullion not far from a seven-week high above $US1,200 an ounce.

Crude oil has closed solidly higher, with the US futures contract hitting their highest point so far this year on expectations of a decline in US production.

A Western Australian company founded four years ago to help fly-in, fly-out workers manage their finances has shifted its focus to reflect the resources sector’s changing fortunes – dealing with redundancy issues.

Gold producer Beadell Resources says a number of delays at its Tucano project in Brazil are to blame for a shortfall in gold sales for the March quarter.

BHP Billiton has appointed four new non-executive directors to the board of its South32 spin-off company.

The growing number of backdoor listings in WA has highlighted the best, and worst, of the capital markets.

The March quarter was a quiet period for M&A transactions in WA, although the deals that were announced attracted their fair share of controversy. Click through to see details on 78 WA deals worth $2.4 billion.

Atlas Iron has launched an extensive review of its operations, finances and possible asset sale opportunities in response to steep falls in the iron ore price.

Oil prices have bolted higher on doubts last week's nuclear agreement between Iran and global powers will soon lift crude supplies.

Woodside Petroleum has completed the purchase of Apache Corporation’s interests in the Wheatstone and Balnaves projects, as speculation continues over the ownership of Apache’s remaining Australian assets.

BC Iron has terminated a mining services contract with Watpac Civil & Mining three months early as it seeks to cut costs at its Nullagine joint venture operation in response to the plunging iron ore price.

Mining equipment supplier Bradken has rejected a takeover offer from private equity group Pacific Equity Partners and US-based Koch Industries, which valued the company at $427 million.

Iron ore has fallen below $US50 a tonne, extending a run of losses that began a week ago.

Oil rebounded on Wednesday, lifted by a government report showing a decline in US crude production and a deadly explosion and fire on an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico.

Gold has rallied two per cent as the US dollar retreated after a downbeat jobs report raised expectations that the Federal Reserve could be more cautious in tightening monetary policy.

BC Iron is the first Western Australian iron ore miner to receive royalty assistance from the state government’s relief package.

BHP Billiton and Fortescue Metals Group have applied for permits to add about 50 million tonnes of iron ore to an already oversupplied global market as prices fell to new record lows.

Investors have welcomed news that Claremont-based Segue Resources has signed a joint venture agreement with Port Exploration at its Pardoo nickel and iron project in the Pilbara.

Shares in Subiaco-based explorer Triton Minerals skyrocketed on news it signed a $US2 billion ($A2.6 billion) offtake agreement with a Chinese company for graphite from its Mozambique project.

Gold has turned lower, pressured by the firm US dollar and weak oil prices, and with expectations that the Federal Reserve will increase interest rates this year pushing bullion toward its second monthly decline.

Oil prices have fallen as global powers and Iran raced to reach a deal on Tehran's nuclear program that could ease sanctions on the crude producer, adding to the global oversupply.

A Western Australian iron ore industry group has reluctantly mothballed its activities, citing the difficult economic circumstances facing the industry.

New Standard Energy has secured $US3 million ($A3.9 million) from its existing debt facility with Credit Suisse to provide working capital while it continues transaction discussions with unnamed parties.

The mining union has attacked BHP Billiton for the resources giant's call to make it harder for workers to take industrial action.

Emeco Holdings has postponed the $75 million purchase of truck rental business Rentco, as it seeks to address criticism of the deal from some of its biggest shareholders.

Chatchai Yenbamroong has fired another round into his dispute with Tap Oil, with a letter to the company’s shareholders calling for their support in his proposed board spill.

Shares in thermal energy company Enerji surged on news it will be collaborating with Perth-based technology firm Panorama Synergy to develop a hydrocarbon monitoring system.

Oil prices have dipped as traders eyed talks between Iran and global powers that could ease international sanctions on one of the world's leading oil producers.