Mining

Mining giant Rio Tinto will close its Gove alumina refinery in the Northern Territory, bringing the axe down on up to 1,500 jobs and an entire mining town.

Decmil has been awarded a $37.5 million contract for the design and construction of diesel fuel infrastructure at Hancock Prospecting's Roy Hill project in the Pilbara.

Rio Tinto has highlighted the dramatic shift in strategy by the big mining houses by unveiling a ‘low cost' expansion for its Pilbara iron ore business, with plans to lift production at five existing mines before it considers developing any new mines.

China-based Shandong Gold looks set to secure board control at Focus Minerals, after acting chief executive and chairman Don Taig announced his intention to resign from the company.

Gold miner Ramelius is working to get its flagship asset in Western Australia profitable next year despite a weaker gold price.

Forge Group looks set to surrender a significant share of its equity to creditor ANZ Banking Group in exchange for a company-saving debt package, as spooked investors wiped more than 83 per cent from the contractor's market value.

US oil prices have tumbled to the lowest level in nearly six months after a weekly inventory report showed a surprisingly large increase in supplies.

Altona Mining is the latest Perth company to receive a first strike from shareholders against its remuneration report.

Just four months after becoming Forge Group's new lender, it appears ANZ Banking Group will need to pitch in more debt financing to keep the struggling company afloat.

Doray Minerals has officially opened its Andy Well gold project in the northern Murchison region, at a ceremony hosted by mines and petroleum minister Bill Marmion.

Bis Industries has deferred plans to launch a long-anticipated $510 million initial public offering due to what it describes as unfavourable market sentiment towards the Australian mining and resources sectors.

Sino Gas & Energy has taken advantage of a strong rally in its share price, reaching an agreement to raise $53 million at 20 cents per share, to progress development of its coal seam gas assets in China's Ordos Basin.

Independence Group has downsized forecasted quarterly gold production at its part-owned Tropicana gold mine, after producing first gold within budget and ahead of schedule.

Perth-based Hazelwood Resources will look to raise up to $7 million to accelerate production at the ATC ferrotungsten joint venture facility in Vietnam, in which it has a 60 per cent stake.

Programmed Maintenance Services has recorded a flat half year profit despite taking a hit to revenue as a result of a slowdown in investment in the resources sector.

Brookfield Multiplex has completed construction of a $200 million accommodation village at Hancock Prospecting's $10 billion Roy Hill iron ore mine in the Pilbara.

Empire Oil and Gas shareholders showed their overwhelming lack of support today towards the company's recently ousted directors by lodging a massive vote against the remuneration report.

Cape plc and Giovenco Industries have each been awarded major contracts at Chevron's $29 billion Wheatstone LNG project near Onslow.

Perth stockbroking firm DJ Carmichael has acted as lead manager to a $4.4 million capital raising by oil and gas explorer Rampart Energy.

Perth-based concrete construction group Whittens has been awarded a $15.5 million contract for civil concrete construction works at the Boggabri coal handling and processing plant in New South Wales.

Australia should consider a Norwegian-style sovereign wealth fund to share around the benefits of the mining boom, a union report argues.

A Hong-Kong based company locked in a bitter legal dispute with mining boss turned federal MP Clive Palmer says the case will be closely watched by other Chinese investors.

Mining giant Rio Tinto is reviewing the status of its alumina refinery at Gove in the Northern Territory, putting the future of up to 1500 workers at risk.

Iron Ore Holdings had mixed news for shareholders yesterday, with lower costs likely to bolster its major project but heritage issues causing delays at a second project involving Mineral Resources.

Gold futures have fallen as investors have their first chance to respond to the historic deal on limiting nuclear proliferation reached between Iran and six world powers.

Seven Group Holdings has appointed Woodside executive Jarvas Croome as the new chief executive of its WesTrac heavy equipment business.

Weaker demand from mining companies has caused a 28 per cent fall in first half profit for analytical testing services group ALS.

Rail freight company Aurizon and Gina Rinehart's part-owned Queensland coal company have agreed on a rail solution to develop the Galilee Basin as part of a $6 billion plan.

Mining billionaire Gina Rinehart has been awarded an honorary doctorate from Queensland's Bond University in recognition of her contribution to the Australian economy.

BHP Billiton has announced it will replace two shiploaders at its Nelson Point port operations in Port Hedland at a cost of more than $300 million, on the same day it was forced to cancel the official opening of its Jimblebar iron ore mine.

Bis Industries has acquired Queensland-based innovative haulage company Powertrans for $30 million as it prepares to launch a long-awaited initial public offering.

Calibre Group has promoted acting chief operating officer Peter Reichler to the position of managing director, on a total fixed remuneration package worth $500,000 less than that of his predecessor