Latest Headlines

US stock indexes have opened higher, boosted by the consumer discretionary sector, while hopes for a new round of tax cuts overshadowed fears of an escalation in the Sino-US trade war.

Aspire Mining is pleased to announce that pre-commitments for the minimum $1.7 million dollar raising condition of the $15m Strategic Funding package have been received.

Early works for the Yanchep rail extension and Thornlie to Cockburn link will be contracted separately, as the state government attempts to give opportunities for smaller players after combining the main portions of the two projects into one package.

Seph McKenna has unexpectedly resigned as chief executive of Screenwest, only nine months into his five-year term.

The Supreme Court has dismissed a defamation claim brought by former Quintis managing director Frank Wilson, after the trial judge said he was surprised by Mr Wilson's asserted lack of knowledge of the sandalwood producer’s contracts.

Iron ore shipments to China from Port Hedland rose nearly 10 per cent in August from a month earlier.

The Australian stock market has closed flat after recovering some of its early losses after better-than-expected economic data from China.

Mineral Resources has continued to diversify its interests, taking a $2 million stake in West Perth-based Barra Resources, which is developing the Mt Thirsty cobalt project near Norseman.

The state government has announced that Fairbridge WA will take over operation of six camp schools across the state, while parent group Family Support WA will manage Landsdale Farm in Perth's northern suburbs.

Resource Development Group has announced plans to acquire a 30 per cent stake in a gold project from Bullseye Mining, which is currently the subject of a takeover offer and board spill.

Subiaco-based copper hopeful Todd River Resources plans to raise $4.2 million for drilling work at its Mt Hendy discovery in the Northern Territory.

Ramelius Resources has launched a $59.2 million hostile takeover bid for exploration company Explaurum, which is aiming to develop its Tampia Hill gold project in the Wheatbelt.

CIMIC Group subsidiary Thiess has won a $190 million contract extension for mining services at BHP Billiton Nickel West’s Leinster underground mine, where it has operated since 2016.

SPECIAL REPORT: China and South Korea are key targets for Jessica Gomes as she seeks to take her skincare business into Asia later this year.

SPECIAL REPORT: Asia and the US are the big targets for Perth designers who hope to break onto the world stage.

China trade war threat ratchets up

Wall Street's major indexes have fallen as US President Donald Trump raised the possibility of additional tariffs on Chinese imports and Apple Inc indicated that some of its products could be subjected to such levies.

Oil prices are steady, with US crude slipping on weak global equity markets while Brent inched up on geopolitical factors, including violent protests in Iraq.

Jaxon has re-emerged as a major contractor in the Perth market with big plans for the near term after six decades in the business.

Junior explorer Peel Mining has raised $12.3 million, with gold miner St Barbara subscribing for $1.8 million as part of the placement.

The Australian stock market has marked seven straight days of losses for the first time since January 2016, as US-China trade concerns continue to drag on the indices.

Downer has been awarded a $6.9 million contract for work to revitalise Broome’s Chinatown streetscape, with works on Carnarvon Street and Dampier Terrace to start this month.

Andrew Forrest-led GenerationOne, in partnership with the federal government, has today launched an Indigenous vocation training and employment centre at the Acacia Prison, with accommodation group Ebenezer Aboriginal Corporation (EAC) appointed as the program operator.

Gold producer Resolute Mining has appointed Sabina Shugg as a non-executive director, while new data from the Australian Institute of Company Directors has revealed an uptick in female participation on ASX 200 boards.

The Supreme Court has thrown out a claim by former mining executive Derek Ammon, who had complained about the impact of noise at the Raffles hotel on his neighbouring apartment.

PODCAST: In this Business News podcast Mark Beyer and Mark Pownall discuss the opening of WA’s 7th lithium mine, Perth house prices, a cyber security business backed by John Poynton and ECU, Tourism WA, skills shortages, WA Ballet's Dracula, two notable arts appointments and our special report on fashion – with Jessica Gomes, and WA designers discuss the export market.

Workers at Alcoa's alumina and bauxite operations in Western Australia have voted to reject a proposed workplace agreement and will continue industrial action, according to the Australian Workers Union.

While many people talk about universities and business working together, the John Poynton chaired Sapien Cyber is doing it.

Barminco has secured a five-year extension to its mining services contract at AngloGold Ashanti’s Sunrise Dam gold mine, worth about $700 million.

Opinion: A federal Labor government would change the political dynamic between Canberra and WA for the better, but all relationships need careful management.

WA sheep exports to resume

Crude futures have reversed course, falling more than one per cent after US data showed petrol inventories rose unexpectedly last week, overshadowing a bullish drawdown in crude.