Major stakes

Miners are looking to shore up their positions following a volatile 2011.

THE Windimurra vanadium mine, south-east of Mt Magnet, is an operation that really shouldn't exist.

THE iron ore landscape in the Pilbara region is consumed by expansion as miners plan to capitalise on rising prices and strong demand from China.

WESTERN Australian gold miners have responded to the record prices for the precious metal by lifting production in the past year.

THE emergence of the Mid West as a major iron ore mining region remains heavily linked to the controversial Oakajee port and rail development.

LIKE iron ore in the Pilbara, Western Australia's liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector along the state's north-west coast is experiencing a wave of development and expansion.