Mining

Perth-based manufacturer Cetra Technologies has won a major innovation award for a product designed to improve insulation in the LNG market.

Intrepid Mines has posted a first half loss of $US31.97 million ($A30.86 million) as it aims to resolve joint venture problems and legal issues at its Indonesian operations.

Premier Colin Barnett says state-owned enterprises are the only Chinese firms large enough to invest in Australia.

Perth-based Sirius Resources' share price has soared, and neighbouring explorers have also jumped, following discovery of a new nickel and copper sulphide deposit in the eastern Goldfields.

Quest Petroleum announced its intention to raise $5 million to fund the initial drilling program at its south Sumatra Ranau oil & gas projects .

Caltex Australia insists its decision to close its Sydney oil refinery and turn it into an import terminal at a total cost of $680 million is necessary to secure the company's future.

ASX-listed mineral explorer Black Mountain Resources has made a push to increase investor exposure by commencing trade on the London-based Alternative Investment Market.

Troubled miner Energy Resources of Australia says the uranium market remains challenging after it recorded a net first half loss of $59.8 million.

Newcrest Mining has exceeded its copper production targets for its 2012 financial year, while gold production is in line with forecasts.

The patience of Oz Minerals shareholders continues to be tested, with the company revealing a sharp quarterly jump in production costs and development of its new copper-gold project.

Strategic Marine has announced it will build a 24-metre heavy duty cargo catamaran for Offshore Plant Hire.

Prominent businessman Geoffrey Cousins is no more important than anyone else on the anti-Browse gas hub bandwagon, Resources Minister Norman Moore says.

The effective ban on coal mining in the Margaret River region adds to uncertainty weighing on the industry and will push companies elsewhere, the body representing small miners says.

Atlas Iron plans to double production by the end of 2013 as it presses ahead with a rail feasibility study.

Redundant workers from ailing sectors such as manufacturing are being targeted for work in the resources sector, Minister for Employment Participation Kate Ellis says.

Kingsgate Consolidated's chief executive says he cannot offer an explanation as to why the price of gold has plunged but it may have something to do with derivatives.

Unions say they have effectively forced QR National to "play by the rules" as the company attempts to shed a fifth of its workforce.

BC Iron shares gained almost nine per cent after the junior iron ore producer said it expects to export five million tonnes of ore in fiscal 2013 after meeting its full year production targets ahea

Coal mining will not be allowed in and around Margaret River, Resources Minister Norman Moore says.

Oil Search says it is close to deciding on partner or partners for its natural gas exploration assets in resource-rich Papua New Guinea.

Aspiring iron ore miner Cazaly Resources has announced agreements with engineering company Engenium and the Esperance port authority, which it hopes will provide short-term and long-term infrastruc

Ausdrill has announced its largest-ever contract win, with its African mining services subsidiary securing a $US540 million deal at Resolute Mining's Syama gold operation in west Africa.

Beleaguered miner Mirabela Nickel has axed hundreds of jobs in Brazil as it continues cutting costs at its Santa Rita operations while the nickel price languishes at depressed levels.

Australia's largest resource project has added to its gas reserves, after oil and gas giant Chevron made another discovery off the Pilbara coast.

Reports of the mining boom's demise are greatly exaggerated, some say, but few dispute the likelihood of continued easing in commodity prices.

Integra Mining says it is on the lookout for potential acquisitions after securing a $20 million finance facility for its Randalls Gold project in the eastern Goldfields.

Analysts have raised concerns for Western Australian miners operating in Indonesia, after Intrepid Mines' joint venture partner suspended operations at the Tujuh Bukit project in East Java.

Aviva Corporation says it is shifting its focus to its coal projects in Botswana after offloading its Kenyan gold and base metals assets to international miner Barrick Gold for $20 million.

Base metals miner Fox Resources has been forced to suspend a $30 million funding agreement with a Chinese co-operative for its Radio Hill nickel-copper project because of continued weakness in comm

Navigator Resources' quest for more capital has come under further scrutiny from the corporate watchdog, with the company's prospectus for an upcoming $16 million rights issue delayed until further

Talga Gold has announced a $2.3 million capital raising plan to continue development at its suite of graphite, iron ore and gold projects.

Energy and Minerals Australia has been granted mining leases for its Mulga Rock project, days after settling litigation that had stymied development.