Mining

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown says he will continue to press the federal government to include gold and other minerals in its proposed mining tax.

Transfield Services has more than doubled its first half profit and says it expects its full year profit will be between $130 million and $135 million.

The biggest pink diamond ever found by mining giant Rio Tinto is being cut and polished in a painstaking 10-day process.

Fleetwood Corporation has posted a record first half profit thanks to a rising demand for miners' homes.

The federal government's proposed mining tax does not take into account the impact it will have on the next generation of miners, a prominent economist has told an inquiry into the legislation.

The national body representing Australia's minerals industry believes the federal government's planned mining tax is workable and should be made law.

Earthmoving equipment provider Emeco says it's making the most of the resources boom, after posting a 20 per cent rise in first half profits.

Australia's second-biggest steelmaker, OneSteel, has posted a $74 million first half net loss but is bullish about its growth through its mining interests.

Strength in Western Australia’s resources sector has boosted the bottom lines of local engineering and construction contractors Monadelphous, Macmahon and LogiCamms, with Monadelphous being the pic

Contractor Macmahon Holdings has won a $100 million contract to design and construct the Darwin Marine Supply Base.

Developers of Western Australia's troubled $6 billion Oakajee port and rail project are hopeful it will go ahead after Japan's Mitsubishi took full control of the company today.

Imdex has lodged a record-half year result, raking in $22.7 million in net profit, up from $12.1 million the previous corresponding half year.

Gindalbie Metals has awarded Downer EDI a $64 million contract for electrical and instrumentation works at its Karara iron ore project in the Mid West.

Engineering firm UGL has reported a 15 per cent fall in first-half profit due to acquisition costs but it says it is on track to deliver a five per cent rise in full-year underlying profit.

Rio Tinto has splashed out $US518 million ($A482 million) on a project to run the world's first driverless long-distance, heavy-haul rail network.

Monadelphous Engineering has become the fourth contractor to announce a framework agreement with Rio Tinto, giving it preferred contractor status for structural, mechanical and piping work as well

Industrial services company and takeover target Spotless has posted weaker first-half net profit of $16.5 million, down 5.2 per cent on the previous corresponding period.

Forge Group has posted a steady profit for the half year ended December 31, pulling in $21.3 million after tax.

The resources boom is unlikely to derail other industries in Australia, according to Reserve Bank of Australia deputy governor Philip Lowe.

Alcoa joint venture partner Alumina has rejected claims that the carbon tax is the main factor behind the stalled expansion of the Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia, saying th

Australian oil and gas salaries are the highest in the world according to a survey compiled by Hays Oil and Gas and Oil and Gas Job Search.

BC Iron has reported a significant boost in interim net profit, on the back of a maiden operational profit from its Nullagine iron ore joint venture with Fortescue Metals Group.

Wesfarmers has bucked the job shedding trend with plans to employ more people this year at Coles and its other retail chains, after underwhelming the market with a flat first half profit result.

South African miner Exxaro Resources has taken a majority share of Perth-based iron ore explorer African Iron after last-minute acceptances of its $300 million offer.

Oz Minerals has suffered a dramatic fall in full-year net profit to $274.5 million, but says demand for copper remains strong.

Uranex's wholly owned Mkuju uranium project in Tanzania has attracted aspiring joint venture partners, the company says.

Africa-focused uranium producer Paladin Energy has widened its first half net loss from the previous corresponding period even though it achieved record production.

A South Korean firm has been has awarded the contract to build a huge processing plant offshore from Western Australia for the $US34 billion ($A31.8 billion) Ichthys gas project .

Altona Mining has joined the ranks of copper producers after its wholly owned Outokumpu project in Finland commenced output.

BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto together will spend $US4 billion ($A3.75 billion) to increase production at the Escondida copper mine in Chile.

Nickel miner Western Areas says a recent rebound in nickel prices could boost its financial performance in the second half of the 2012 financial year.