Mining

Regulatory barriers affecting mineral and resource exploration companies will be the subject of a new Productivity Commission inquiry.

Mining giant BHP Billiton has sought an extension to the indenture agreement to cover its mothballed $30 billion expansion of the Olympic Dam mine.

Mining baron Nathan Tinkler has been knocked off the top spot on the BRW Young Rich List for the first time since 2009 - and he's now down to his last $400 million.

Higher taxes on mining and wealthy individuals are needed to ensure the economy serves the needs of "people and nature", Australian Greens leader Christine Milne says.

Shares in Perth-based oil and gas junior Pura Vida Energy jumped on the Australian Securities Exchange today, in response to stockbrokers' backing of a resources upgrade at its 75 per cent-owned Ma

Southern Cross Electrical Engineering has announced $69 million in new contracts in the Pilbara and northern Goldfields.

Buru Energy has announced a $40 million placement to fund the acquisition of fresh acreage in the Canning Superbasin, north of Perth.

Seven West chief executive and former Woodside boss Don Voelte has joined the board of oil and gas explorer Nexus Energy.

Japan's Mitsui has approved a $1.5 billion investment to expand iron ore export capacity at its joint venture with Rio Tinto at Cape Lambert.

Exploration firm Hannans Reward is planning to offload its nickel sulphide portfolio in Western Australia to focus on the development of its Kiruna iron project in Sweden.

Gold miner Newcrest is tapping investors for $US1 billion ($A962.97 million) to help reduce its debt.

Fortescue Metals Group has awarded Leighton Contractors a five-year $US1.5 billion contract to run mining operations at its Firetail iron ore project in the Pilbara.

The economic ties between China and Australia are extending beyond the resources sector to financial services, education, tourism and agriculture, the federal government says.

Base Resources is evaluating new funding options after reporting a 14 per cent cost increase on its Kwale mineral sands project in Kenya.

East-African focussed Chalice Gold Mines has announced plans of a payout to shareholders estimated at 10 cents per share.

Indo Mines shares spiked on the ASX today after the explorer announced its cornerstone shareholder, Indonesia's Rajawali Group, had agreed to kick in $50 million through a share placement.

Marengo Mining has announced it is pulling up its Perth stumps and shifting its headquarters to Canada.

NRW Holdings has confirmed a contract at BHP Billiton's Port Hedland inner harbour expansion project has been “reduced”, but the engineering and contracting group is not expecting any hit to full-y

Tangiers Petroleum has announced a $5.8 million share placement to assess growth opportunities in Africa, including potential farm-in deals and acquisitions.

Newly installed Macmahon chief executive Ross Carroll says large scale rail projects will be off the agenda under his leadership as the company adapts to life after the resources boom.

Shares in Matsa Resources have spiked by more than 20 per cent, after neighbouring junior explorer Sirius Resources called a trading halt on its stock, pending release of an announcement on Tuesday

Apex Minerals shares have jumped after the gold miner announced it is seeking to raise nearly $11.4 million through a private placement and rights issue.

An electrical fault has caused a reduction in capacity at Newcrest's Lihir mine in Papua New Guinea.

Legislation to ensure James Price Point is the only site on the Kimberley coast where Browse Basin gas will be processed was introduced into state parliament yesterday.

Canadian miner B2Gold has swooped on Perth-based CGA Mining, offering the equivalent of $C3.18 ($3.13) per share in an all-scrip takeover bid worth around $C1.1 billion ($1.08 billion).

Ian Smith picked up a $2.2 million termination benefit when he stepped down as chief executive of gold miner Newcrest.

Fortescue Metals Group has settled a long-running dispute with Leucadia National Corporation, agreeing to terms to repay $US715 million in unsecured loan notes.

Focus Minerals' is aiming to expand output to more 500,000 ounces of gold per year after one of China's top gold producers, Shandong Mining, agreed to take a 51 per cent stake in the Perth-based mi

Alicanto Minerals has become the fifth Perth listing on the Australian Securities Exchange this financial year.

Privately-owned firms Thistle Fabrication and Primero Group, as well as Geraldton's Lenane Holdings, have won construction contracts for the Empire Oil & Gas-led Red Gully processing facility n

Exco Resources has accepted a sweetened takeover offer from Washington H Soul Pattinson worth about $95 million.

An energy conference in Darwin has heard conflicting accounts of whether Australia's tax system deters companies seeking to invest in Australian resources projects.