Mining

The oil and gas industry is a major contributor to Australia’s economy, generating estimated revenue of $33.6 billion in 2007, mostly out of Western Australia.

Tenacity and perseverance are words that we often associate with battlers – those we admire, who get through life despite the odds.

West Perth based White Cliff Nickel Ltd has announced a joint venture with a Korean consortium for the exploration of the White Cliff nickel project.

Construction and engineering firm Macmahon Holdings Ltd has launched a $446 million takeover bid for Canning Vale-based Ausdrill Ltd, a year after the drilling contractor revealed it had been approached by an unidentified suitor.

Uranium explorer Bannerman Resources Ltd has awarded GRD Ltd subsidiary GRD Minproc a contract to carry out a bankable feasibility study for its Namibian mine project.

Epsilon Energy has entered a trading halt as shares in the Subiaco-based explorer skyrocketed by as much as 411 per cent in trade today, after an exploration target of 1 billion tonnes of iron ore was revealed for its Mardie project in the Pilbara.

West Perth based Ampella Mining Limited has appointed Dr Paul Kitto to the role of Chief Executive Officer, reporting directly to the Company's Board of Directors.

West Perth based Overland Resources Ltd has lodged a prospectus to raise $10 million, with funds being used to conduct a full feasibility production study at its Andrew Zinc Deposit in Canada.

Perth-based nickel miner Albidon Ltd could be in play as a takeover target after its major shareholder revealed plans to sell its blocking stake worth some $37 million.

Mineral exploration company Noble Mineral Resources Ltd plans to raise at least $2 million to fund existing projects and raise working capital through an initial public offering.

Osborne Park based Advanced Braking Technology Ltd will aim to raise $4.6 million to fund a network of service centres in Kalgoorlie, the Pilbara, eastern states and South Africa.

A five year agreement to supply subsea equipment and support services for the part Chevron Australia Pty Ltd owned Gorgon Project has been awarded to GE oil and gas business VectoGray.

West Perth based Straits Resources Ltd subsidiary, Straits Asia Resources Ltd, has posted a quarterly net profit of over $21 million ($US20.1 million), an increase of 139 per cent on the same quarter last year.

West Perth based Washington Resources has signed a joint venture agreement with exploration company Western Desert, allowing Western Desert to explore one of its Northern Territory tenements.

West Perth based Otto Energy Ltd are planning to raise $15 million to fund drilling preparations, site surveys and costs associated with its two permits in Po Valley, Italy.

Gwalia pursues Portman for royalty; NAB won't rule out rival bid; Resources boom for 20 years; BHP market value surges past $250bn on Chinese whispers; Chemicals tycoon snaps up Repcol stake

IT may not be considered a sexy commodity compared with the likes of iron and gold, but the rapidly growing importance of potassium and phosphate is attracting the focus of a number of resource companies based in Western Australia.

AUTOMOTIVE manufacturers are facing unprecedented challenges with escalating costs, changing environmental regulations, and warnings about peak oil across the globe.

HIT by the high cost of feedstocks, biofuel players Mission Biofuels Ltd and Australian Renewable Fuels Ltd are seeking to adapt their strategies as rising agricultural product prices disrupt their business models.

Swan's $65bn megabank test; NRW in legal tussle over ore truck tyres; Burrup price trimmed as float plan back on track; Rate rises spur slide in housing loans; Oxiana bid for Zinifex a fair deal, says expert

Overland Resources Limited has entered into subscription agreements with institutional, sophisticated and industry investors to raise $10 million through the issue of 20 million new shares at $0.50 per share, with the issue subject to shareholder approval

Chinese circling Fortescue; Confession season intensifies as earnings growth slows; Coventry at 30-year low as investors wait; Bad debts threaten banks' double-digit profit growth; Globetrotter thrives on making virtue of family

Applecross-based global education services group Navitas Ltd has announced a joint venture between its part-owned student recruitment business, EduGlobal China Ltd, and online higher education company, Open Universities Australia (OUA).

Perth based nickel producer, Minara Resources, has appointed current chair of nickel group Xstrata Australia, Peter Coates, as its new chairman.

Rio Tinto subsidiary Hamersley Holdings has increased its interest in AusQuest to 6.9 per cent following the exercise of five million options at 40 cents per share.

As the state's winemakers emerge from a tough few years, the industry has a different look to it.

HERE at the Note we often imagine what it’s like to be a fly on the wall when the big deals are brokered. Alas, the detail is often left out in the announcements we peruse.

The Australian Prospectors & Miners Hall of Fame Foundation is appealing to the mining community to help it raise $10 million.

Hit by the high cost of feedstocks, biofuels players Mission Biofuels Ltd and Australian Renewable Fuels Ltd are both seeking to adapt their strategies as rising agricultural product prices disrupt their business models.

A new $21 million oil and gas training facility has been opened in Henderson by the Federal and State Governments.

Rivervale-based Aurium Resources Ltd has acquired its second company for this year, following the takeover of Northern Territory-based Jarra Resources Ltd for up to $15.3 million.

Nickel miner Sally Malay Mining Ltd is to purchase Liontown Resources Ltd's Cowan Nickel Project assets in the easter Goldfields in a deal worth about $2 million.