Mining

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

Balcatta-based Conquest Mining has activated the dispute resolution process in a bid to clarify its joint venture partner, Gold Fields, commitment to exploration of Mt Carlton gold-cilver-copper project and other regional tenements in Queensland.

Premier Colin Barnett has taken the next step in the development of the Kimberley LNG hub with the release of the social impact scope and profile report and the call for tenders for the strategic assessment report.

Shares in North Coogee-based Pacific Ore have soared after it negotiated a deal to sell technology used to extract low grade nickel to miner Western Areas.

The board of Western Areas has given the go ahead for a $62 million expansion of its Forrestania operation which is set to double nickel production next year.

Sydney-based Longreach Oil, which has interests in the Carnarvon Basin, and Southern Cross Exploration plan to raise $250 million for the float of a newly formed oil and gas company.

Swick Mining Services has added further momentum to its North American expansion plans, today announcing it had signed its first United States contract.

State Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore says he expects no further delays from the federal government in granting its final environmental approval for the $50 billion Gorgon LNG project, paving the way for a final investment decision within weeks.

China Railway Resources Group Co has today revealed plans to launch a proportional takeover for RMA Energy, offering cash for 80 per cent of shares it does not own in the Perth-based company.

Shell's ambitions for establishing its first ever floating LNG facility in Australia have been boosted by a significant new gas discovery near its Prelude field in the Browse Basin.

A slanging match between two rival unions has erupted in Western Australia, with veteran heavyweight Kevin Reynolds doggedly trying to hang on to his union's mining members.

Softer oil and gas prices punched a $US7.5 billion ($A8.9 billion) hole in half year earnings for US energy giant and Gorgon operator Chevron.

Vmoto has signed a $12 million deal to supply scooters to a South Korean dealer and has secured a $1.5 million facility with the Bank of China.

West Perth-based Triton Gold is planning to list on the local stock exchange next week after its initial public offer was oversubscribed.

INTERNATIONALLY embarrassing.Not the words any government would like to see used to describe the regulatory regime applying to their most important industry.

FOR decades, successive state governments have dreamed of adding value to the millions of tonnes of raw materials mined and exported from Western Australia by moving further down the processing chain.

THE Diggers and Dealers mining forum got under way this week in Kalgoorlie-Boulder with a blast of optimism from a renowned international economist, and the prevailing mood of the delegates reflected the buoyancy in the rising commodities sector.

ANXIETY over foreign investment is compounding the funding challenges created by the global financial crisis, according to the junior mining executives at the recent WA Business News roundtable.

Development of Galaxy Resources' Mt Cattlin lithium project is ramping up with the emerging producer awarding a key contract to the DRA Pacific, Mintrex and BEC Engineering joint venture.

Perth-based Po Valley Energy has relinquished an application over a prospective oilfield in Italy following environmental concerns from locals.

Shares in West Perth-based Metals Australia have plunged today after a Namibian court ruled two of the explorer's prospecting licences be turned over to their original owner.

Shell Australia chairman Russell Caplan has warned the world faces an energy supply crunch by 2015 if solutions are not found soon to the conflicting issues of rapid demand growth, dwindling supplies and the need to lower greenhouse emissions.

Mirabela Nickel has announced a major milestone with production starting at its Santa Rita open-cut nickel mine in Brazil.

A preliminary study has confirmed Extract Resources' Rossing South project would be one of the world's largest uranium mines with an estimated capital cost of $US704 million ($A842 million).

Western Areas has moved to distance itself from chairman Terry Streeter's $65 million court loss last week as the mining identity considers an appeal.

A group of Perth businessmen have won a three-year battle against Western Areas directors Terry Streeter and David Cooper, with the Supreme Court today awarding nearly $65 million to unrelated company Western Areas Exploration.

West Perth-based Navigator Resources plans to undertake trial mining at its Leonora gold project after reaching a deal with St Barbara to treat the gold at the Gwalia mill.

Atlas Iron has approved the development of its Wodgina iron ore project in the Pilbara, which has a capital cost of just under $10 million thanks to a deal with Talison Minerals.

Shares in Dioro Exploration have surged as it urges shareholders take no action on Ramelius Resources' $92 million all-scrip takeover bid, a higher offer to Avoca Resources' recommended proposal.

Mining services company NRW Holdings, in joint venture with the Ngarluma Yindjibarndi Foundation, has been awarded a $15 million construction contract by Rio Tinto.

Mining services company Imdex has terminated a $28 million merger with drilling specialist Coretrack after due diligence did not meet expectations.

Avoca Resources' recommended takeover offer for Dioro Exploration has been trumped by Adelaide-based Ramelius Resources, which today launched a superior $92 million all-scrip offer for the gold miner.