News Articles for Simon Bennison

Resources Minister Matt Canavan said today the exploration development incentive (EDI) scheme was unlikely to continue, despite telling the industry he had an open mind on its future, and labelled alternatives put forward by the Association of Mining & Exploration Companies as radical.

Southern Cross Austereo has appointed Gina Hogan as general manager of its Perth operations.

Simon Bennison has announced his resignation as chief executive of the Association of Mining & Exploration Companies, with the search for his successor under way.

The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies has strongly criticised a federal government decision to abolish the exploration development incentive tax concession, which it warns will have severe consequences in a climate where exploration is already soft.

The Labor Party moved swiftly today to reassure the business sector that it would not hand over responsibility for project approvals to an independent tribunal, after reports it was considering such a change.

The state government reached a milestone in its asset sales program last night after passing a bill to enable the leasing of Port Hedland's Utah Point, despite opposition from a lobby group representing the miners that currently use the wharf facility.

The state government has extended its discounted charges at the Utah Point bulk handling facility by another year, to help junior miners continue exporting iron ore, as debate around the sale of the port continues.

A new report has found listed exploration companies are focused increasingly on preserving their cash, as the sector grapples with regulatory rulings by the ASX and ASIC.

Canadian policy thinktank the Fraser Institute has ranked Western Australia the best location in the world for mining investment, with Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion today touting the results as a tick of approval for the state government's red tape reduction strategy.

The state government has officially commissioned the $140 million Eastern Goldfields Pipeline, which will support the ongoing development of mining projects in the region and benefit operators of existing mines due to reduced costs

A $7.3 million extension of the Perth Core Library is under way to boost exploration programs, with Firm Construction beginning work today.

Talisman Mining, Evolution Mining and Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines are among a number of miners to win state government exploration grants, with gold, nickel and copper the most popular commodities targeted.

The state government has deferred the introduction of any cost-recovery fees for processing mining, exploration and prospecting applications.

Western Australia's minerals exploration spending has reached its lowest level since the March quarter of 2007, according to the latest update from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Standout junior explorers are finding investors for their mining projects, while others are cutting back on exploration and development to counteract a tough corporate finance market and increased government fees.

The Department of Mines and Petroleum has finalised new environmental assessment fees for mining proposals and program-of-work applications, to take effect from July 1.

Western Australia's subdued resources exploration sector is set to receive a new boost in the form of a digital map for explorers to better target mining and petroleum discoveries.

The Department of Mines and Petroleum is seeking to recover about $11 million in unpaid royalties amid producer disquiet about possible royalty rate increases.

The federal government has released details on how its long-awaited exploration development incentive will work, with the policy expected to be a much-needed boost for the industry.

The federal government's plan to axe the mining and carbon taxes may dominate the mainstream headlines in terms of resources sector policy, but it's a lesser-known incentive that has the industry on tenterhooks.

Three business lobby groups with large representation in Western Australia have presented a united front to urge the Senate to repeal both the mining and carbon taxes.

SPECIAL REPORT: As the junior resources sector slows, so do the earnings of companies most exposed to the sector – exploration drilling and mining services firms.

SPECIAL REPORT: Poor investor sentiment and low confidence have put a crunch on capital for WA's junior miners.

The Australian Securities Exchange and cash-strapped junior exploration companies are hoping a new stock market tool will encourage investors to get more involved in capital raisings.

The mining industry has welcomed the state government's change to its programme of work approvals systems, which will give more time to companies to complete exploration works on approved projects.

The federal coalition has committed to provide tax break to investors in exploration firms if it wins Saturday's election, under an incentive scheme that has been widely lauded by the resources sec

The resources industry is urging the federal government to tread carefully as it attempts to plug holes in its budget, due to be handed down early next week.

Last week's failed leadership tilt has sparked further upheaval in the Labor caucus and yet another ministerial reshuffle.

BOTH major parties have committed to big-spending projects in their bid to secure votes ahead of the upcoming state election.

As Africa punches above its weight as a mining investment destination, it both attracts and competes with WA miners.

THE world of commerce may be guided by share values, net assets and project scale, and political power ultimately decided at the ballot box, the business of government is far more opaque – with inf

The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies has released a detailed list of issues it believes should be addressed by which ever party wins Saturday's federal election, starting with scrapping the Minerals Resource Rent Tax.

THE pitched battle over the proposed LNG hub at James Price Point near Broome is likely to be just a pre-cursor to a bigger war over development in the Kimberley region – considered the nation’s next frontier by both sides of the political div