Mining

Leaner times in the junior mining and exploration sector have resulted in widespread cuts to chief executive pay, but the restraint has not been shared equally across the sector, with some actually lifting salaries.

The Environmental Protection Authority has rejected Sinosteel Midwest Corporation’s proposal to develop a new mine pit at its Blue Hills Mungada East hematite project due to irreversible environmental consequences.

Mount Gibson Iron has cut its sales guidance and warned that repair works at its Koolan Island mine might take three months and cost up to $10 million.

Gold prices have notched their sharpest gain in nearly five months after data showing weaker-than-expected October jobs growth spurred investors to close out bets against the precious metal.

Mineral sands explorer MZI Resources is one step closer to production following shareholders approving a $US110 million debt and equity package today.

Global HR and investment company Mercer has acquired Perth-based resources sector-focused remuneration consultancy Ausrem for an undisclosed amount.

Gold miner Resolute Mining has announced plans raise $25 million through a convertible note issue to fund projects in West Africa and near Peel.

Perth based civil and concrete construction company Whittens has been awarded a certificate of excellence for construction of ROM walls at the Roy Hill iron ore project in the Pilbara.

Oil prices have fallen after OPEC, supplier of a third of the world's crude, cut its longer-term production forecasts in the face of rising North American shale output.

Gold has sunk to a fresh four-and-a-half-year low as brighter US economic data bolsters the US dollar and European Central Bank President Mario Draghi hinted at a more aggressive stimulus program.

Watpac Civil & Mining says it will resume limited works at Pluton Resources' Cockatoo Island iron ore project following discussions with the troubled miner's receivers, KordaMentha.

Australia's junior iron ore producers are under renewed pressure as the price of the steel-making commodity fell to a fresh five-year low.

Tugboat operator Teekay Shipping and the world's fourth largest iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group have condemned the decision of 56 tugboat workers to bring Port Hedland to a halt for four hours next Wednesday .

US oil futures have sharply rebounded from the prior day's dive after the US petroleum inventories report showed a smaller-than-expected increase in crude oil supplies.

Gold and silver prices have sunk to four-and-a-half-year lows, weighed down by a soaring US dollar and expectations of more stimulus from the world's largest economies.

Neon Energy may be leaving its Perth headquarters after entering into a merger implementation agreement with MEO Australia, which would create a combined entity based in Melbourne.

Takeover target Transfield Services has upgraded its annual earnings guidance as it continues talks with Spanish predator Ferrovial.

BHP Billiton will start exporting oil out of the US, a practice banned since the 1970s oil crisis.

Oil prices have plunged, with Brent hitting a four-year low after Saudi Arabia slashes its export prices for the US market to counter demand for shale fuels.

Gold prices have fallen, as investors believe the European Central Bank will take further measures to boost the region's economy, after the Bank of Japan unveiled a fresh round of stimulus last week.

Perth-based Liontown Resources says it will accept just $465,500 to satisfy an outstanding settlement around the sale of its Liontown base metal deposit in Queensland to collapsed miner Kagara, which was later offloaded to Red River Resources.

Copper producer Aditya Birla Minerals has flagged impairment charges in the range of $175 million to $225 million in its upcoming half-year financial report, resulting from mining set-backs, potential asset divestments, and devaluation of its heap leach inventory.

Pluton Resources says its major shareholder General Nice Resources has appointed KordaMentha as the company’s receivers, after secured creditor Rizhao Port Group Logistics yesterday tried to appoint representatives from FTI Consulting to the same role.

Oil prices have plunged late in the day, after reports that Saudi Arabia was slashing its export prices for the US market while hiking them for Asia.

Gold has extended its four-year low as the US dollar advanced against other currencies and stocks hit new record highs.

Perth-based oil and gas company Range Resources entered into a memorandum of understanding with investor Core Capital Management for the provision of about $US50 million in cash and shares.

Perth-based uranium explorer and developer Toro Energy has secured a $10 million cash injection from global investor The Sentient Group, with a further $10 million to directly fund Toro’s Wiluna project still to come.

Pluton Resources is in the midst of a battle between creditors, with major shareholder General Nice Resources and secured creditor Rizhao Port Group Logistics fighting over who gets to appoint receivers to the iron ore miner.

Embattled collier Continental Coal has struck a $70 million deal to offload its interest in its South African subsidiary, leaving the company debt free and with excess cash reserves.

Our annual Biggest Employers feature has the latest BNiQ data on employment trends in WA, including the companies that are expanding and those that are shrinking, and in-depth analysis of what's happening in mining, construction, health care, accounting, law and other industries.

Global private equity group Denham Capital has teamed up with former Karara Mining chief executive Steve Murdoch to establish a venture that will invest in a handful of new and established mining projects.

Mining and civil engineering firm MACA announced today that it had won $47.9 million worth of project contracts from Main Roads WA and mining giant Rio Tinto in the past three months.