Mining

Premier Colin Barnett's push to keep the Browse gas project onshore has suffered another blow, with lead proponent Woodside recommending, as expected, the construction of a floating offshore plant

Gold futures have fallen as jitters ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee's meeting minutes prompt some investors to exercise caution and move to the sidelines.

BlueScope Steel shares have been hammered after the steelmaker reported a solid turnaround but ruled out dividends, warned of a flat outlook and increased its exposure to Australia's steel market w

The state government has been dealt an embarrassing blow to a planned multi-billion dollar gas hub in the Kimberley, with the state's chief justice ruling the environmental approval for the project

Minerals explorer Metals X has acquired Rio Tinto's interest in the Mt Davies joint venture in South Australia, which it hopes will add value to its Wingellina nickel project.

Australia's largest freight rail operator Aurizon has flagged more job cuts as it deals with a growth slowdown in China.

Federal Resources and Energy Minister Gary Gray says it was "inappropriate" for Premier Colin Barnett to make public a letter the minister sent to him about the Browse Basin.

Two new oil and gas research initiatives have received promises of federal funding, with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd talking up the future of the sector in Western Australia today.

Fortescue Metals Group has attracted an investment of up to $US1.15 billion ($A1.27 billion) fom Taiwan's largest private company, Formosa Plastics Group, to underpin the development of a new iron

Santos' half year net profit has risen three per cent due to increased sales revenue from higher gas prices.

Rio Tinto's dispute with the Mongolian government has intensified after the mining giant said it would sack up to 1,700 mostly local workers.

The coalition has refused to commit to reducing application fees for 457 visa workers if elected to government, despite flagging plans to make the scheme more “user-friendly”.

Chilean workers have gone on strike at BHP Billiton's Escondida, the world's largest copper mine, over demands for an annual bonus and better working conditions.

The mining sector's slowdown and fewer construction projects have caused a nine per cent fall in annual profit for services and engineering firm WorleyParsons.

Specialist workforce provider SKILLED Group has grown its profits by almost 14 per cent despite a weakening mining sector dragging business down.

The resources sector union has been granted leave to appeal a decision allowing workers at Woodside's Pluto gas plant to be denied accommodation during wage-related industrial action.

Oz Minerals has blamed lower production volumes at a South Australian gold and copper mine and big write-downs for a half-year loss of $268 million.

Toronto-based gold miner Alacer Gold has appointed a new chief executive and will place its Australian operations into care and maintenance over the next 18 months, as it continues to seek a buyer

UGL will split its shrinking engineering business from its growing property arm to reflect the property division's greater global focus.

Mines Minister Bill Marmion says Toro Energy’s acquisition of a uranium project in close proximity to its proposed yellowcake mine at Wiluna is a significant step forward for the sector.

Australia's largest gold miner, Newcrest Mining, has reported an annual net loss of $5.78 billion for the 12 months to June 30.

Rio Tinto's profit for the first half of 2013 has fallen by 71 per cent to $US1.72 billion ($A1.92 billion).

Gold miner Newcrest will take a $6.2 billion hit to its bottom line from writedowns on its assets in the 2012/13 financial year.

Premier Colin Barnett says he hasn't given up pushing for the Woodside-led Browse gas project to be developed onshore in the Kimberley.

Sundance Resources expects to sign up customers by the end of the year as it pins its hopes on producing iron ore in west Africa by 2017.

Global demand for resources will soar by up to 75 per cent over the next 15 years, but Australia is facing fiercer competition from rival nations, the head of BHP Billiton says.

The High Court has upheld Labor's controversial Minerals Resource Rent Tax, rejecting a challenge launched by miner Fortescue Metals Group.

The gold price is expected to improve over the long term thanks to strong demand in China and India, the World Gold Council says.

Pilbara-focused gold miner Millennium Minerals has reported good news in a gloomy industry with a maiden profit of just over $34 million for the first half of calendar 2013.

The world's third largest gold producer AngloGold Ashanti will bring its Tropicana mine into production ahead of schedule despite pushing ahead with an overall plan to cut costs by $US500 million.

Engineering company Downer EDI has recorded an 80 per cent increase in net profit but warns the next 12 months will be challenging.

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart has written to two of her children, making an offer which she hopes will bring their litigation to an end, a court has heard.