Mining

Two years after selling its stake in the failed Oakajee port and rail project, Murchison Metals is set to be absorbed by major shareholder Mercantile Investment Company.

Ramelius Resources will appoint chief operating officer Mark Zeptner to succeed retiring managing director Ian Gordon when he steps down in June after seven years with the gold miner.

Queensland-based infrastructure services company Cardno has bought oil and gas engineering consulting firm PPI Technology Services for $US145 million.

Perth-based The Waterberg Coal Company (WCC) has agreed to a share swap deal with London-listed investment fund Global Resource Investment Trust (GRIT).

Talga Resources has received commitments to raise up to $1.7 million, which has been earmarked for the ongoing development of its graphite projects in Sweden.

Surveyor Fugro Spatial Solutions has been awarded a contract to carry out dimensional control surveys at Inpex’s Ichthys LNG project near Darwin.

Gold prices have closed at the highest level in six months as investors remain cautious over the fluid geopolitical situation in Ukraine.

Cash strapped Jacka Resources has appointed two broking firms to assess capital raising options after confirming that a friendly takeover offer from Tangiers Petroleum looks set to fail.

Iron-ore explorer Coziron Resources has raised $2.5 million in equity following the execution of a share placement to sophisticated investors.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann has again urged the Labor opposition to support the repeal of the mining tax when parliament resumes next week, describing it as an "anti-WA tax".

Doray Minerals has posted a maiden half-year profit on the back of the commencement of production at its Andy Well gold project in the Murchison region.

Gold futures have edged higher amid heightened concerns about China's economy and instability in Ukraine.

Liquefied Natural Gas has completed a $4.2 million equity raising which will allow it to fulfill the requirements of a recently signed gas transportation contract.

A partnership between oil and gas heavyweights Woodside Petroleum and Chevron, and the University of Western Australia is changing the design of offshore pipelines and cutting construction costs for the expensive infrastructure.

Tight conditions in the mining services sector and a lower Australian dollar have paid dividends for Altona Mining, which has announced a solid increase in net present value and lower revised capital costs at its Little Eva copper project in Queensland.

Nedlands-based gold explorer ABM Resources has outlined plans to raise $19.6 million from private equity fund Pacific Road Capital as it aims to bring its Old Pirate project in the Northern Territory to production.

Gold miner Regis Resources has blamed higher production costs at its Duketon project for a 32 per cent slump in first half profit but says recovery efforts are proceeding in line with expectations after torrential rain caused extensive flood damage to the site.

Gold futures have climbed to a six-month high as investors seek to protect their wealth from the ripple effects of financial troubles in China and geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe.

Contractor Viento Group will take a controlling stake in electrical switchgear firm Power Infrastructure Services (Powins) in a deal worth $400,000.

Junior explorer Cott Oil and Gas has outlined plans to join the ranks of floating LNG producers, engaging Shanghai-based Wison Offshore and Marine to deliver a concept study for a floating vessel to support development of gas fields in Papua New Guinea.

The new directors of Empire Oil & Gas have admitted the company's financial position is worse than originally anticipated, with an initial review revealing a raft of performance issues at its flagship Red Gully gas and condensate processing facility.

Atlantic managing director and chairman Michael Minosora has resigned from the company after a horror year for the vanadium and iron ore producer.

The High Court has ruled that native title rights are not extinguished by the granting of mining leases, in what indigenous groups have described as a landmark decision which will provide a clear basis for the resolution of other native title disputes.

Gold futures have climbed for the second straight day as the standoff between Russia and Ukraine spurs demand for a haven.

The state’s two biggest mining companies have downplayed the recent dive in the iron ore price, insisting the outlook is still positive despite analysts tipping a continued fall to around $US80 per tonne.

Western Australia has been ranked as the world’s most attractive jurisdiction for investment in the resources sector, based on the state's geology and its improved policy settings.

Rare earth miner Lynas Corporation has widened its half-year loss and warned that it will need to raise additional funding within the next 12 months to meet its debt repayment obligations.

SPECIAL REPORT: As the junior resources sector slows, so do the earnings of companies most exposed to the sector – exploration drilling and mining services firms.

SPECIAL REPORT: Tight debt and equity environments have led many junior mining and exploration firms to seek alternative arrangements to finance their operations.

SPECIAL REPORT: Poor investor sentiment and low confidence have put a crunch on capital for WA’s junior miners.

Global oil prices have fallen as weak Chinese trade data stokes concerns over demand in the world's second largest economy.

Struggling miner Atlantic has secured $29.7 million in debt funding from its major shareholder Droxford International and negotiated a standstill arrangement with the majority of its noteholders.