Mining

Technology developer and investor Orbital Corporation has reshaped its board as it implements a new growth strategy, adding investment banker John Poynton as a director and promoting experienced minerals executive John Welborn to chairman.

Orica boss Ian Smith will leave the explosives maker two years before his contract ends amid allegations of an overly aggressive management style.

Shares in Perth-based Sunbird Energy finished the day's trading on the ASX up 26 percent at 2.6 cents, after announcing an agreement for the supply of gas from its Ibhubesi gas field in South Africa to Eskom Holdings’ Ankerlig power station.

Galaxy Resources’ $223 million sale of its Jiangsu lithium carbonate plant to a Chinese buyer has received shareholder approval from both parties after multiple delays and timeframe extensions.

Perth-based minerals explorer Talga Resources has received firm commitments for a discounted placement to raise $5.5 million.

Iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group has abandoned plans to refinance $US2.5 billion ($A3.28 billion) worth of debt after failing to attract suitable interest from investors.

Oil prices have fallen as traders expected a key US stockpiles report to show another increase to a new record high.

Gold has fallen to a four-month low in volatile dealings, on investor jitters ahead of a Federal Reserve policy meeting that may offer further clues to support expectations of a mid-2015 rise in US interest rates.

Woodside Petroleum plans to resume production at its Pluto LNG operations after a nearby drifting drill rig was secured.

TNG has signed an agreement with two Northern Territory-based contractors to provide civil engineering and construction work at its flagship Mount Peake vanadium-titanium-iron project.

Shares in Minbos Resources surged on news it has entered into an agreement to sell half of the company to joint venture partner, Petril Projects, in exchange for full ownership of the Cabinda phosphate project in Angola.

Perth-based mineral sands producer Iluka Resources has created a new senior executive role to focus on two growth opportunities involving new technology in the UK and Brazil.

BHP Billiton is promoting its spin-off company South32 as a diversified business with high quality assets, sufficient cash flow to support healthy dividends and a strong balance sheet able to fund new investments.

US oil prices have sunk to a six-year low after a report by the oil cartel OPEC pointed to a continued petroleum supply glut.

Gold has fallen, trading just above its lowest level in more than three months, due to stronger European shares and expectations that this week's Federal Reserve meeting could hint at the timing of any hike in US interest rates.

Gold has fallen, trading just above its lowest level in more than three months, due to stronger European shares and expectations that this week's Federal Reserve meeting could hint at the timing of any hike in US interest rates.

The transition of the Karratha economy away from its reliance on big construction jobs for resources projects has resulted in thousands of job losses.

Daniel Tucker’s Carey Mining has emerged as a key backer of a proposed new Pilbara iron ore mine, which has been given the green light by the Environmental Protection Authority.

Mining and civil contractor Brierty has become just the sixth organisation nationally and the first in its industry to obtain the top ‘Elevate’ ranking for its Reconciliation Action Plan.

Salaries for newly-appointed chief executives at WA-listed companies were down by 20 per cent from the levels prevailing last year, research by Business News has found. Click through to see salary packages for 77 WA chief executives.

India looms as a possible economic saviour for Australia as Chinese growth plateaus.

The Environmental Protection Authority has recommended that Rutila Resources' proposed 205-kilometre railway and conveyor line in the Pilbara, which will be used to support new iron ore mines, should gain ministerial approval.

Gleneagle Gold announced its intention to exit the resources sector through the back door today, with a proposal to buy a Melbourne-based unlisted biotechnology company for a share package worth $2 million.

Mining giant Rio Tinto's tax bill has increased to $A6.2 billion despite weaker commodity prices.

Gold has pared early gains, on track to break a nine-day streak lower despite the US dollar's extended rally as the precious metal market appeared reluctant to extend losses ahead of the US Federal Reserve meeting next week.

Woodside Petroleum has been forced to halt production at its Pluto LNG plant in the Carnarvon Basin after a cyclone detached a nearby drilling rig.

OZ Minerals has sold its 19.2 per cent shareholding in copper miner Sandfire Resources in a transaction worth $125 million.

Energy giant BP will hold onto its Perth bitumen business but will sell the rest in the country to Puma Energy for an undisclosed amount.

Rare earths miner Lynas Corporation has almost doubled its half-year loss as it looks to cut more costs in a difficult market.

Cyclone Olwyn passed over Barrow Island last night but left in its wake controversy over safety on the island, with unions criticising preparations for the cyclone, which hit one day after a worker

Emeco Holdings has diversified its business outside the mining sector by purchasing truck and trailer rental company Rentco, which was founded in 1994 by Perth brothers Bob and John Shier, in a structured deal worth at least $52 million.

Crude-oil prices fell as traders focused on rising US stockpiles amid a global supply glut.