Mining

WA based iron ore and uranium mining company Royal Resources has acquired private outfit Mintech for $4.95 million taking control of its Razorback iron project in South Australia.

Uranium exploration company Extract Resources has completed its previously announced private placement worth $40.3 million as part of a $91 million capital raising to accelerate exploration activities at its Rossing South project in Namibia.

Minerals exploration company Wolf Minerals has raised $4 million for completion of a bankable feasability study on its Hemerdon Ball tungsten and tin project in England.

The state government has today released new water management guidelines to help streamline approvals for mining projects in the Pilbara.

The momentum in the state's oil and gas sector continued today with construction officially starting on Apache Energy's Devil Creek domestic gas plant near Karratha.

Adelaide-based Toro Energy has raised $40 million to advance its Wiluna uranium project in Western Australia, with first production anticipated in 2012.

The state's corruption watchdog has cleared former Labor MP John Bowler of misconduct in relation to disclosing information to lobbyist Julian Grill about Fortescue Metals Group's railway line application.

Engineering construction activity in Western Australia is tipped to slump 20 per cent over the next two years, above that of a national 15 per cent decline, economic forecaster BIS Shrapnel says.

Berkeley Resources director Stephen Dattels has resigned from the board after a company he chairs sold nearly $8.5 million worth of shares on-market.

Fortescue Metals Group has settled its third shipping dispute, today agreeing to pay an upfront $6.1 million to a Greek shipping company which had launched a $US130 million lawsuit against the iron ore miner last year.

Chevron has secured three new offtake deals for its Gorgon gas project with Japanese and South Korean companies, which Prime Minister Kevin Rudd claims are valued at more than $70 billion.

Paladin Energy says it has received strong institutional support for its $419 million share placement, which will be used to fund acquisitions and expand its Langer Heinrich uranium mine in Namibia.

GOLD has been a mainstay of the Western Australian economy for more than a century.

A petroleum industry body has welcomed federal Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson's plans for an inquiry into an oil spill off the coast of Western Australia.

The economic downturn has not dampened enthusiasm for exploration of the state's oil and gas assets, with expenditure up 33 per cent in the June quarter compared to a year ago.

The world's third largest mining outfit, Rio Tinto has exported its three billionth tonne of iron ore from its Australia operations, an historic moment for the company with deep roots in the Pilbara.

Shares in gold explorer Carrick Gold closed almost 12 per cent higher today after the company announced the start of pre-feasability studies at it's three open-pit mines north east of Kalgoorlie.

West Perth-based uranium explorer Energy Metals has recommended a proportional takeover bid by a Chinese firm, which will underwrite an $11.7 million rights issue.

The mining union has warned that WA's resources sector is not ready for the overhaul of the state's mine safety system and has called on the Barnett government to establish a steering committee.

Two Perth-based companies are a step closer to mining their gold projects in the Goldfields after receiving necessary government approvals from the state government.

Atlas Iron is on track to achieve an annual production rate of 12 million tonnes after it signed a native title agreement over its $9.5 million Wodgina iron ore mine in the Pilbara.

Western Australia has again retained the title of being one of the least desirable mining jurisdictions in Australia with inefficient exploration and mining approvals processes at the centre of the state's poor performance, a worldwide survey has found.

Engineering and construction company Clough today announced that Andrew Walsh has resigned his role of chief financial officer and executive director and will terminate his employment on 30 September 2009.

Perth-based Resolute Mining plans to raise up to $35 million through a convertible notes placement as it enters a conditional agreement Barclays Bank to restructure its debt facilities.

Iluka Resources has cut a further 54 jobs at its Western Australian operations as the company moves to focus on its Victorian and South Australian projects.

West Perth-based Shaw River Resources plans to raise up to $5 million through a placement with its largest shareholder, Atlas Iron, backing the raising.

Navigator Resources will press ahead with its acquisition of the Bronzewing gold operation after securing a $16 million debt facility and revealing plans for a $24 million capital raising.

Shares in Murchison Metals have surged as the company flags the potential to increase the scope of its Mid West iron ore operation after setting an additional exploration target of up to 1 billion tonnes.

GROWING numbers of Australian organisations are offering paid maternity leave according to recent research by the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency and Alcoa of Australia.

LOCAL industry is demanding a say on the state government's next move on energy policy, after it finally scrapped unwelcome plans to merge electricity generator Verve with retailer Synergy.

Wesfarmers appoints two directors

The Western Australian Trade Opportunities Service is operated by the International Trade Centre of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia.