Crunch Time

Cost cutting can only take a business so far, and with tough times set to continue for mining services contractors, innovation and diversification have a big role to play. Click through to see more on our Mining Services feature.

As a big private company with a healthy balance sheet, BGC Contracting can afford to be strategic as the commodity cycle turns, according to CEO Greg Heylen.

The liquidation of mining services outfit C&G Group Industries has revealed links between the Western Australian operation's director, Christopher Skelly, and a messy business collapse in Christchurch New Zealand.

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.

One of WA's largest Aboriginal corporations has been sharply divided as it seeks to deal with the impact of plunging iron ore revenue.

Returns to Western Australia mining, engineering and technical services players operating offshore have been blunted by the falling commodities prices and sovereign risk.