Mining

THE highly lucrative and increasingly competitive international education market is now top of mind for many of the state's educational centres and learning institutions, as demand for their services goes global.

THE state government has announced the appointment of chief executives for three of its major agencies as the focus turns to who will take the reigns at the departments set to be restructured.

Copper miner Matrix Metals today appointed Vince Smith and Justin Walsh of Ernst & Young as voluntary administrators, after being squeezed by falling copper prices and debt repayments.

Perth-based Mineral Sands has changed its name to Corvette Resources following a vote at the company's AGM today.

Fortescue Metals Group chief operating officer, Alan Watling has tendered his resignation with the Perth-based iron ore producer.

Galaxy Resources has appointed Iggy Tan as the company's managing director.

Perth-based Oroya Mining intends to raise over $1 million through a renounceable rights issue to continue it's exploration projects around the country.

Avalon Minerals is hoping to raise $2 million through the placement 20 million shares at 10 cents per share to progress drilling and feasibility studies at its flagship Viscaria Copper Project, located in Northern Sweden.

Herald Resources has secured a standby loan facility for up to US$30 million from PT Bumi Resources TBK.

Neptune Marine Services has been awarded two repair projects in the Gulf of Mexico worth almost $15 million.

Gindalbie Metals Limited has accepted an offer from Anshan Iron & Steel Group Corporation worth more than $162 million to complete equity funding in its $1.8 billion Karara Iron Ore Project.

Mining contractor Macmahon Holdings has downgraded its annual growth forecast for 2009 to between 10 per cent to 20 per cent growth as the economic crisis delays projects.

The Water Corporation has named Sue Murphy as its new chief executive, replacing Jim Gill who retires at the end of the year after a 12-year reign.

Shareholders in Jupiter Mines will decide whether to hand control of the company to the Brian Gilbertson-led Pallinghurst Resources, which intends to spend $50 million to advance Jupiter's projects.

Global miner Xstrata has boosted its interest in West Perth-based Pioneer Nickel and has agreed to provide over $1 million to the company to explore the Acra project in Western Australia.

Dragon Mining has become the latest victim of falling commodity prices, with the Perth-based company announcing it has suspended activities at its nickel mine in Finland.

FIVE years ago, Eric Zuziak made a few minor changes to his website to be more visible to potential clients in other countries.

EUROPEAN companies Metso Minerals and Royston have added to the large number of international acquisitions of local mining and industrial services companies in Western Australia.

AN Osborne Park-based mining services company has won the top prize at Western Australia's Industry and Export Awards.

Perth-based Indo Mines has received government approval to develop its $870 million Jogjakarta liquid iron project in Indonesia, the first such approval granted to a foreign company in over 10 years.

A sharp fall in the tin price has forced West Perth-based Stonehenge Metals to suspend its operations in Tasmania and review exploration activities.

The global economic turmoil has prompted West Perth-based BC Iron to review a smaller start-up operation for its Nullagine iron ore project in the Pilbara which could save its some $80 million in development costs.

The state government has appointed former resources department deputy director general, Stuart Smith, as the new chief executive of the Department of Fisheries.

Herdsman-based Olympia Resources Ltd is undertaking a strategic review of its projects in light of the current financial crisis while chairman Mal Randall steps down.

Gindalbie Metals Ltd plans to raise $162 million through a share placement to Chinese project partner AnSteel to cover its final payment towards the $1.8 billion Karara iron ore joint venture.

Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore has not given up hope the state can still benefit from Inpex's multi-billion dollar Ichthys liquefied natural gas facility.

Clough Ltd has signed a $56 million agreement with Superior Energy Services Inc to charter the newly built Rem Clough and provide associated subsea services.

Gindalbie Metals Ltd has entered a trading halt pending the release of an update on funding discussions over its $1.8 billion Karara iron ore project.

Mount Gibson Iron Ltd has entered into several offtake deals with two Hong Kong listed companies, one a major shareholder, as it plans a $162 million capital raising that is fully underwritten.

West Perth-based Industrial Minerals Corporation Ltd will explore funding arrangements for the development of its $67 million US project after its joint venture partner pulled out.

Takeover target Perilya Ltd said an update on resources at its downsized Broken Hill lead and zinc mine could "significantly" extend the mine's life, based on conservative metals prices, beyond the previously advised three years.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA and the Chamber of Minerals and Energy say the federal government's economic modelling of its proposed emissions trading scheme has confirmed their concerns about the scheme and its impact on the state.