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AGGRESSIVE and often controversial managed investment scheme (MIS) operator and latterly, corporate agriculture company, Timbercorp, has succumbed to the weight of its ever-increasing mountain of debt.

THE current condition and future use of the rural rail system across Western Australia as part of the state's grain freight network continues to generate debate, as stakeholders seek a commitment from the government to support the ageing infrastructure.

MADDINGTON-BASED Coote Industrial and associated company Greentrains have negotiated related fund raising deals worth $8 million with Victorian Caterpillar dealer Dale Elphinstone.

The Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation has called on Premier Colin Barnett to put Aurox Resources' Balla Balla iron ore project on hold after claiming the company refused to negotiate a native title deal.

The Environmental Protection Authority will tomorrow release its recommendations on Chevron's expansion proposal for the Gorgon liquefied natural gas project.

Metal recycling group CMA Corporation says it will have improved access to world investment markets as its shares start trading in the United States as American Depository Receipts.

The owners of the Dampier to Bunbury pipeline has refinanced its $480 million stage 5A bank facility which was due to mature in October this year.

Agribusiness and automotive components supplier Futuris Corporation will begin trading on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) on Thursday under the old Elders name.

Straits Resources says it expects to deliver shareholders around $94 million of the $US335 million ($A470 million) deal with Thailand's PTT International Company, which achieved financial close today.

Sundance Resources has raised nearly $11 million through a share purchase plan as talks continue with potential strategic partners for the Mbalam iron ore project.

Acquisitive national facilities manager Spotless Group has completed the acquisition of the business assets of Riley Shelley, a company founded through a joint venture of a Perth and Brisbane-based painting businesses.

OZ Minerals Ltd, which has struck a deal with China Minmetals Non-Ferrous Metals Co Ltd that will give it funds to pay down debt, has reported mixed production results from its Golden Grove mine in WA.

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An unnamed Chinese company has pulled out of a $12.5 million cash deal to buy a majority interest in Rox Resources' Myrtle zinc-lead project.

Port Bouvard has lodged its master plan for the Gidgegannup townsite with the City of Swan and the Western Australian Planning Commission following 18 months of planning and environmental investigations.

West Perth-based Reed Resources has obtained an exclusive option to acquire a silver project and processing plant near Kalgoorlie from a private company for more than $2 million.

Nedlands-based Tox Free Solutions has decided to drop its acquisition of a Victorian waste management company as it revises down its earnings forecast for the 2009 financial year.

Perth-based energy group Aviva Corporation has today invited the public to comment on its environmental review documents for its Coolimba power and coal projects located near Eneabba.

Shares in Aurox Resources have surged after it received environmental approval for its Balla Balla magnetite iron ore project in the Pilbara in a move the company says will provide certainty for potential financiers.

Galaxy Resources says it is investigating several sites in China for a processing plant for its Mt Cattlin lithium and tantalum project near Ravensthorpe.

Gindalbie Metals has welcomed the Environmental Protection Authority's long awaited report on its $1.8 billion Karara project but may appeal over the exclusion of one iron ore deposit in the project area.

Fox Resources has confirmed it has undertaken a $3.4 million private placement with funds to drive exploration across the company's nickel and copper projects.

Straits Resources has called a halt to trading of its shares, pending an announcement to its recent $US335 million ($A474 million) deal with Thailand's PTT International Company.

The state's economy is tipped to fall into recession in fiscal 2011 however Access Economics has forecast a "slow slowdown" as spending on big projects such as the $12 billion Pluto project offsets a dramatic downturn.

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Shares in Aurox Resources have been placed in a trading halt as it waits on environmental approval for its Balla Balla magnetite iron ore project in the Pilbara.

Australia's consumer credit laws are set for an overhaul with the federal government today releasing draft legislation that looks to slash red tape for business and impose tougher penalties for irresponsible lending.

Sharp increases in oil and gas works will not offset WA's engineering construction activity which is forecast to fall 15 per cent over the next two years, an economic forecaster says.

Engineering and mining services provider Macmahon Holdings will axe a further 360 jobs over the next two months as it forecasts second-half profits to collapse as mining contracts are cancelled and rain hampers operations.

Maddington company Coote Industrial Ltd and associated company Greentrains Ltd have negotiated related fund raising deals worth $8 million with Victorian Caterpillar dealer Dale Elphinstone.

Hannans Reward suitor Fox Resources has entered a trading halt pending the release of capital raising details.

Tap Oil says it will farm-out interests in some of its projects in order to boost its forward cash flow while it cuts its 2009 exploration expenditure by 65 per cent on the back of lower oil prices.