Mining

Two more ex-Jubilee Mines executives have joined Nedlands-based Talisman Mining with Peter Langworthy and Brian Dawes today appointed executive directors.

Shares in Rio Tinto have slumped as much as 23 per cent in trade today, as the miner launches its $US15.2 billion ($A19 billion) rights issue, one of the world's biggest capital raisings.

Shares in BC Iron have been placed in a trading halt as the company finalises details of a capital raising.

Fortescue Metals Group chief executive Andrew Forrest has gifted nearly $10 million worth of shares to various recipients.

Delays in receiving environmental approval for the $1.8 billion Karara iron ore joint venture have prompted Gindalbie Metals to make redundant 24 employees.

Shares in Perth-based explorer Buru Energy have been placed in a trading halt amid speculation that a $41 million cash takeover proposal by its chairman, using the company's cash reserves, may be dropped.

Gunson Resources will build its processing plant for the Coburn zircon project in Western Australia instead of China as it selects Intermet Engineering as its preferred engineering contractor.

Shares in Perth-based Resolute Mining have risen after the company produced first gold at its redeveloped Syama mine in Mali.

Miner Atlas Iron has confirmed today it will raise up to $117 million to help fund expansion plans of its operations in the Pilbara.

Mid West iron ore hopefuls Gindalbie Metals and Asia Iron are not concerned by a cap on export volumes through Geraldton port, saying the limit only comes into place once the nearby Oakajee port is ready.

Sinosteel Midwest Corporation will appeal the environmental watchdog's rejection of a crucial part of its iron ore mining plans, which the company says will prevent the entire project from going ahead.

Straits Resources has taken a substantial shareholding in Adamus Resources as the latter steps up debt and equity talks for its $95 million gold project in Ghana.

Environmental work on Royal Dutch Shell's liquefied natural gas project in Gladstone will start shortly after the Queensland government declared the operation as a "significant" project.

Balcatta-based SA Metals, formerly Pan Palladium, has recommended shareholders accept Sylvania's $30 million all-scrip takeover offer.

Miner Jabiru Metals will be able to directly negotiate offtake contracts and has agreed to buy a partly constructed storage shed at the Geraldton Port following a restructure to an OZ Minerals agreement.

Engineering and infrastructure company GRD has become the latest acquisition target for UK-based AMEC, which has proposed a $106 million cash takeover offer.

WITH the drums of the global financial crisis still pounding their deep-toned warnings, the shrill sounds of peripheral issues appear to have been drowned out.

DESPITE a major spat with federal Liberal deputy leader Julie Bishop, political observer Peter van Onselen still puts her in his top 10 most influential Western Australians.

HENDERSON-BASED shipbuilder Strategic Marine this month launched a new vessel it says sets new design and construction standards for crew boats in the oil and gas industry.

West Perth-based Sylvania Resources has increased its takeover offer for Great Australian Resources from a value of $6 million to nearly $9 million.

Reward Minerals has appealed to the Commonwealth Attorney General to have last month's decision by the Native Title Tribunal over the Lake Disappointment project overruled.

Former managing director of Consolidated Minerals, Rod Baxter, has joined Perth-based engineering company Calibre Global as its new managing director.

Melbourne-based explorer Karoon Gas has raised $150 million that will help spur exploration of its joint venture project in the Browse Basin with ConocoPhillips.

The board of West Perth-based Adamus Resources has given the go-ahead for development of its $95 million Southern Ashanti gold project in Ghana, which will generate $124 million for the company in the first two years.

Chevron has reportedly secured Asian customers for the bulk of the liquefied natural gas supply from its $50 billion Gorgon project.

Prospector Mark Creasy has cleared the way for Navigator Resources to acquire the Bronzewing gold operation after deciding not to exercise his pre-emptive rights.

Shares in Atlas Iron have been placed in a trading halt pending the release of details regarding a capital raising.

The mining company at the heart of the Esperance lead contamination saga, Magellan Metals, has started awarding funds to the local community as part of its $1 million commitment to the town.

Fortescue Metals Group executive director Graeme Rowley has pocketed more than $2.3 million after selling a sizeable chunk of shares on the Australian market.

The state government's new exploration incentive scheme has attracted nearly 170 applications with the bulk looking for financial support in their exploration efforts for gold.

Miner Kagara and mining services company NRW Holdings have been removed from the S&P/ASX 200 index while two Western Australian companies with an African focus have been added.

London-listed miner and explorer Polo Resources has expanded its presence in the state after taking up shareholdings in junior explorers Impact Minerals and West Australian Metals.