Latest Headlines

Western Australia has again retained the title of being one of the least desirable mining jurisdictions in Australia with inefficient exploration and mining approvals processes at the centre of the state's poor performance, a worldwide survey has found.

Wesfarmers has raised $500 million via notes with a five-year term which it will use for general funding and to repay shorter term debt.

LandCorp is seeking Expressions of Interest for a head contractor to construct and manage the delivery of the dynamic Ord-East Kimberley Expansion Project's infrastructure.

The state government has announced two new appointments to the board of the South West Development Commission and named Augusta-Margaret River shire president Stephen Harrison as chairman.

Engineering and construction company Clough today announced that Andrew Walsh has resigned his role of chief financial officer and executive director and will terminate his employment on 30 September 2009.

The long-running saga of the Sons of Gwalia collapse has reached another milestone with the former mining company's auditor Ernst & Young agreeing to pay $125 million.

Aspen Group is pleased to advise that settlement of the hospital component of the Norwest Private Hospital development was completed on 3 September 2009.

Aurox Resources says it has secured a $10 million equity placement facility with US-based investment fund YA Global Master SPV, which will reduce the Subiaco-based company's medium-term funding risk.

Brazil-focused Mirabela Nickel has entered the top 200 club as Standard & Poor's conducts its quarterly rebalancing of Australian equity indices.

Perth-based Resolute Mining plans to raise up to $35 million through a convertible notes placement as it enters a conditional agreement Barclays Bank to restructure its debt facilities.

Perth-based Sandalwood grower and processor TFS Corporation has raised $28 million from an institutional placement with funds to be used to reduce debt and growth opportunities.

Fremantle Ports has embarked on its biggest infrastructure project for decades with the $250 million deepening of the inner habour to cater for bigger ships.

Former University of Western Australia researcher Dr Bruce Gray will be able to keep his $75 million stake in Sirtex Medical after the Federal Court today dismissed the university's appeal over ownership of the biotech's intellectual property.

Iluka Resources has cut a further 54 jobs at its Western Australian operations as the company moves to focus on its Victorian and South Australian projects.

West Perth-based Shaw River Resources plans to raise up to $5 million through a placement with its largest shareholder, Atlas Iron, backing the raising.

Subiaco-based Indago Resources plans to sell three of its projects and raise capital through a rights issue following an asset and operational review.

The two companies that manage Great Southern's olive groves in Western Australia have joined forces to develop proposals for the collapsed company's olive managed investment schemes.

Navigator Resources will press ahead with its acquisition of the Bronzewing gold operation after securing a $16 million debt facility and revealing plans for a $24 million capital raising.

Shares in Murchison Metals have surged as the company flags the potential to increase the scope of its Mid West iron ore operation after setting an additional exploration target of up to 1 billion tonnes.

Cash-rich Vulcan Resources and Universal Resources have announced a friendly merger, brining together copper projects in Finland and Queensland into the combined group.

Uranium explorer WildHorse Energy is diversifying into the coal sector through a deal that will see Mark Hohnen and Ian Middlemas join its board of directors.

OIL and gas contracting specialist Clough remains in the running for a $200 million contract for the offshore production facilities at Apache Energy's Reindeer gas field following John Holland Group's successful tender for onshore plant construction.

Some friendly advice has helped smooth the bumps at Paul Fowler's new venture in Wembley. Russell Quinn reports.

oodside offers Browse partners an exit

WHILE the status of the federal government's emissions trading scheme may be up in the air, laws linked to climate change continue to affect business.

Pauline Vamos spends a lot of time in the air.

Award for Constable

THE lure of generous tax deductions has taken more casualties in Western Australia, with investors fleeced of almost $100,000 in a scam disguised as a film industry investment.

The state government has won plaudits for many of its reform plans but the hard decisions lie ahead.

Directors of coal producer, Bathurst Resources, have been increasing their shareholdings over the past few months.

Barb de Corti has built a $100 million cleaning empire, and now plans to make Australia's cleaning industry greener.

An ageing population presents political, social and scientific challenges.