Mineral Resources' diversification strategy continues to gain ground as its joint venture with Hexagon Resources has begun a feasibility study at the McIntosh graphite project in the Kimberley.
SPECIAL REPORT: Battery metals businesses such as Pilbara Minerals, Altura Mining, and Western Areas have joined AusCann Holdings, Buru Energy and OM Holdings among the best-performing stocks in the year to June.
The future of Atlas Iron has been further muddied today after the takeover target said the state government had indicated to media it could compromise on its policy regarding development rights at Port Hedland if either Fortescue Metals Group or Hancock Prospecting takes control of the junior miner.
Three weeks after acquiring a strategic blocking stake in Atlas Iron, Fortescue Metals Group has for the first time confirmed that its main interest in the takeover target is the rights to develop new berths at Port Hedland.
Chris Ellison-led Mineral Resources has decided against making a counter offer to Gina Rinehart's $390 million takeover bid for junior miner Atlas Iron.
Atlas Iron has disclosed it no longer holds exclusive port development rights at Port Hedland that were central to the takeover battle that has involved three mining heavyweights buying shares in the company.
Mineral Resources has struck a deal to purchase the Koolyanobbing iron ore mine from US-based Cleveland Cliffs, after getting support from the state government and railway owner Arc Infrastructure for a deal that will save up to 400 jobs around Southern Cross and Esperance.
Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting has acquired a 19.6 per cent shareholding in takeover target Atlas Iron, joining Mineral Resources and Fortescue Metals Group in the battle for control of the mid-cap iron ore miner.
Shares in Ausdrill slumped more than 20 per cent today after the mining services company said its $180 million contract at Mineral Resources' Wodgina lithium project was set to halve in value.
Mineral Resources has agreed to allow takeover target Atlas Iron to enter discussions with other parties, one day after the Andrew Forrest-chaired Fortescue Metals Group purchased a blocking stake in the junior iron ore miner.
Andrew Forrest-chaired Fortescue Metals Group has taken a surprise 19.9 per cent stake in Atlas Iron, and says it will block the $280 million takeover proposed by diversified mining services business Mineral Resources.
Mineral Resources has forecast a capital expenditure of $US600 million ($792 million) to build two lithium hydroxide processing modules at its Wodgina mine in the Pilbara, after announcing plans to sell a minority stake in the project earlier this month.
Iron ore maganates Gina Rinehart and Andrew Forrest remain in the top 10 of the nation's wealthiest people, according to the 2018 AFR Rich List, which included 20 Western Australians out of 200 people listed this year.
A long-mooted port development at Lumsden Point adjacent to existing operations at Port Hedland has taken a step forward with the Pilbara Ports Authority opening expressions of interest for potential investors in the project.
Business News' index of 30 Western Australian stocks hit an all-time high this week, helped by solid gains by copper miner Sandfire Resources, oil and gas giant Woodside Petroleum and engineering and construction contractor Monadelphous Group.
Atlas Iron will record a non-cash impairment of up to $100 million in its full-year results after rising costs led to an operating loss in its third quarter.
Kwinana has been selected as the site for what is likely to be the fourth lithium refinery in Western Australia, with investment in the boom sector estimated to exceed $4 billion in the next few years.
Applecross-based Mineral Resources is looking to sell a 49 per cent stake in its Wodgina lithium project, as work to investigate the feasibility of a lithium hydroxide or carbonate processing plant at the site continues.
Perth-based Pacific Energy, through its newly acquired Contract Power Group, has secured a contract with Mineral Resources to build a 52-megawatt power station at the Wodgina lithium project.
Japanese group Mitsui & Co has begun the compulsory acquisition process of Waitsia gas field operator AWE, after increasing its stake in the oil and gas company above the 90 per cent threshold last week.
Atlas Iron has posted disappointing quarterly results, with discounted prices for its low-grade iron ore leaving the miner with a loss from its March production.
Diversified mining services company Mineral Resources has announced plans to acquire Atlas Iron in a scrip deal that values the iron ore miner at $280 million.
The directors of Mineral Resources and Altura Mining have enjoyed solid growth in the value of their shares over the past month, according to data on Director Shareholdings tracked by Business News.
Japanese group Mitusi & Co has gained a majority stake in Waitsia gas field operator AWE after a keenly contested takeover battle, and has now declared its $602 million offer unconditional.
Innovative shareholder registry management company, Advanced Share Registry is pleased to announce it has signed a binding agreement with Private Company Platform Pty Ltd to acquire a 51% sharehold
Japanese group Mitsui & Co has announced it will not extend the deadline on its $602 million takeover offer for AWE and confirmed its offer price of 95 cents per share is final.
Tawana Resources has opened the state's fifth lithium operation, with the ASX-listed company announcing today that production has started at its jointly owned Bald Hill project in the eastern Goldfields.
Mitsui & Co has announced its $602 million takeover offer for AWE will be unconditional if the Japanese company acquires more than a 50 per cent stake before March 14.
Altura Mining directors Allan Buckler and Paul Mantell and AusCann Holdings directors Mal Washer and Harry Karelis have been among a group of major Western Australian investors to have the value of their portfolios hit as markets have fluctuated in recent weeks.
Mineral Resources has announced a 16 per cent lift in half-year net profit to $163 million, helped by several one-off factors including a big revaluation of its stake in lithium miner Pilbara Minerals, partly offset by impairment charges associated with its Yilgarn iron ore operation.
Mining services company Ausdrill has received a letter of intent for a three-year contract worth $180 million with Mineral Resources at its Wodgina lithium mine in the Pilbara.
Oil and gas producer AWE has given suitor Mineral Resources three business days to match a superior proposal lobbed by Mitsui & Co, after reaching an in-principle agreement with the Japanese firm.
