Mining

FEATURE: Partnerships with indigenous groups have helped mining and civil contractor Brierty achieve some big wins.

Fortescue Metals Group has signed a contract with a Chinese shipyard for the construction of four iron ore carriers that are even larger than the Cape size vessels currently in use in the industry.

Gold producer Alkane Resources has raised $10.4 million through a placement of 40 million shares to institutional and sophisticated investors.

Palladium and platinum have continued to retreat as supply worries ease because of the prospect of a wage deal that could end a 21-week strike in South Africa.

Tiger Resources has raised $20 million via a share placement earmarked for the expansion of its Kipoi copper mine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Perth civil and construction company Whittens has signed a $25 million contract with NRW for concrete works at the Roy Hill mine site in WA’s Pilbara region.

In the latest twist for takeover target Aquila Resources, suitor Baosteel said it would not increase its $1.4 billion offer for the iron ore developer and that it would reconsider its 20 per cent shareholding in the company if the bid was unsuccessful.

Metals X has been forced to increase the price it is paying for Reed Resources' Meekatharra gold project to $9.9 million after administrators announced a surprise competing bid had been lodged just before a creditors meeting on Thursday.

Calibre Group’s maintenance and construction subsidiary, G&S Engineering Services, has been awarded new and extended work on the Hay Point Coal terminal expansion for BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Al

Nexus Energy hopes its gas projects will continue to operate despite the company appointing administrators after shareholders rejected Seven Group's takeover bid.

Oil prices leapt to their highest level in nearly nine months on Thursday, on rising concerns that turmoil in Iraq will disrupt Middle East supplies.

Perth company Emmerson Resources has entered into a joint venture agreement with Evolution Mining for the exploration of gold and copper deposits at the Tennant Creek mineral field.

Emerald Oil & Gas intends to raise about $5.7 million through a placement to sophisticated investor clients of Perth stockbroking firm Euroz.

Mineral Resources announced today that it plans to use its 12 per cent stake in Aquila Resources to push for a role building and operating the proposed $7 billion West Pilbara iron ore project.

Oil prices finished somewhat higher following an unexpectedly large decline in US crude supplies and worsening turmoil in Iraq.

Nexus Energy shareholders have rejected Seven Group Holdings’ $26.6 million takeover after the final proxy voting results were confirmed late yesterday.

The takeover bid for Aquila Resources took an unexpected turn today when a mystery buyer, believed to be Mineral Resources, spent about $192 million buying a large stake in the Perth company, paying well above the bid price.

Downer EDI’s overburden removal contract at the Goonyella Riverside coal mine in Queensland has been terminated by BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry is concerned the Maritime Union of Australia’s planned strike action at Onslow will trigger a domino effect of disruptions at the state’s ports, affecting crucial links in the resources supply chain.

Oil prices have dipped on the eve of OPEC's meeting to decide crude output levels and ahead of the weekly report on US crude inventories.

Nexus Energy shares have slumped more than 20 per cent as investors worry their shareholdings could be worthless within 48 hours.

Increasingly online-savvy customers have fuelled business and government demand for digital communications advice, which in turn has spurred public relations firms to increase their offering in this specialist area.

Woodside Petroleum has more than doubled its intake of graduates, from 50 hired in 2013 to 115 expected to start next year.

Northern Star Resources has cleared the main hurdle to its acquisition of the Jundee gold mine while also announcing monthly production results that were better than its own targets.

Perth-based company Cauldron Energy has secured $11 million in funding through share placement agreements with Chinese investors.

Oil prices have rallied sharply, with the US benchmark hitting a three-month high, after positive Chinese, Japanese and US economic data raised expectations for more energy demand.

Mining giant Rio Tinto has loaded 200 million tonnes of iron ore with its fleet of 53 autonomous trucks.

Are calls for change self-serving or do they highlight a collective opportunity?

Vikas Rambal is pushing ahead with his multi-billion dollar fertiliser plant and pursuing a newfound appetite for property investment.

Cash-strapped oil and gas company Nexus Energy has warned shareholders it will likely be forced into administration if a planned takeover by Seven Group Holdings fails to win approval.

The latest round of Western Australia’s Exploration Incentive Scheme will pump almost $5 million into the search for minerals and petroleum at a crucial time for the state’s resources industry.

Sundance Resources has appointed Portuguese construction company Mota-Engil Africa to build the $US3.5 billion port and rail infrastructure for the Mbalam-Nabeba iron ore project.