Latest Headlines

Takeover target Ausdrill Ltd has upheld its rejection of Macmahon Holdings takeover offer as it enters into contracts potentially worth $US51 million ($A54.4m) in revenue.

Apache Energy Ltd has hired Clough Ltd to help with essential repairs at its Varanus Island gas plant as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry calls for more accurate and timely information to aid affected businesses.

Rio Tinto has brought forward routine maintenance plans at its Pilbara iron ore operations following the explosion at the Varanus Island gas facility last week.

Alumina producer Alcoa of Australia is backing the development of a major new gas project that involves an investment in excess of $100 million and could supply 10 per cent of Western Australia's gas needs.

Perth-based gold explorer CGA Mining Ltd has successfully raised $C35 million ($A36.5 million) with funds raised to contribute to the development of its Masbate gold mine in the Philippines.

The voluntary administrators of Palandri Wine Group today confirmed the completion of the sale of certain assets to the newly formed and privately owned, Global Wine Holdings Pty Ltd.

Dragon Mountain Gold Limited has finalised an agreement for a $20 million standby equity facility with the US-based investment fund YA Global Investments LP.

Perth-based uranium explorer Extract Resources Ltd has received commitments from investors to raise $30.5 million, with funds raised to support exploration and development activities in Namibia.

West Perth-based resource company Mundo Minerals has announced that its founding chairman, George Jones, will step down immediately.

Chinese steel making giant Sinosteel Corporation has edged closer in spoiling the proposed merger between takeover target Midwest Corporation Ltd and Murchison Metals Ltd, by lifting its stake in the iron ore producer.

Liberal leader Troy Buswell has called for the public release of the cause of the Varanus Island Gas explosion last week after the State Government indicated that the investigation report, currently underway, will remain confidential.

Babcock runs to banks as shares tank; Surprise job decline eases rates pressure; Pressure on HBOS to sell BankWest; BHP brings on nickel repairs amid gas cuts; Fairstar bid for Golden West ends in failure

Syringe company RTL Corporation Ltd has shifted its focus to the mining services sector following a deal with Every Day Mine Services Ltd to acquire the intellectual property of a specialised mining equipment.

BankWest's parent company HBOS plc and other big British banks are facing uncertainty after a fall in HBOS's share price cast doubt over a massive £4 billion capital raising.

West Perth-based Iron Road Ltd and Belmont-based Richmond Mining Ltd have made their debut on the Australian Securities Exchange today.

Gas retailer Alinta warned today that the state's gas crisis could worsen, as the resources sector said many of its members would be affected and the state government decided to re-open a mothballed coal power station.

The Federal Court of Australia has ordered the appointment of an independent accountant to wind up unregistered management schemes operated by Perth property developers Kenneth and Morag Fraser and associated companies.

West Perth-based diamond explorer Lonrho Mining Ltd has deferred its listing on London's Alternative Investment market as it finalises the sale of it non-core assets and acquisition negotiations.

The Kimberley Timber Corporation has become the first Australian company to attain a tax office product ruling that will open the door for super funds to invest in environmentally friendly products.

Seashells Hospitality Group has taken out the 2008 Heritage Council Award for its restoration work on the Caves House Hotel in the South West.

Osborne Park-based Fairstar Resources Ltd has ended its lengthy takeover bid for Golden West Resources Ltd but its final stake in the takeover target has yet to be determined.

A Collie power station that was decommissioned last year is to be made ready for service in response to the current gas shortage.

US energy company Hess Corporation has discovered natural gas in upper Jurassic sandstones on the Northwest Shelf.

BHP Billiton Ltd will lose around 28,000 tonnes in nickel sales after deciding to bring forward major maintenance plans at its Kalgoorlie nickel smelter, resulting in a four-month shutdown of two nickel plants.

WA gas crisis strikes Babcock' debt plan; Guinea threatens Rio's key asset; Future Fund gives banks helping hand; Adviser UBS postpones $2.5b Burrup float on gas impact; Top Carpenter aide handed tough industry, resources job

A decade after embarking on its first major carbon offset tree planting project in conjunction with BP Kwinana refinery, the Forest Products Commission is looking to expand its carbon offset service to other corporations.

A political hot potato for the past decade, the proposed Stephenson Highway is back on the agenda with a coalition of western suburbs councils drafting a plan to oppose any future development.

Industry has called on the state government to encourage further exploration and development of new energy sources, including coal, gas and uranium, following the second major incident involving a reduction in gas supply in less than six months.

North Perth-based biodiesel company Australian Renewable Fuels Ltd has restarted production at its Picton site, with the state's current gas shortage leading a prominent Western Australian company to place a purchase order with the producer this week.

Perth's office market is expected to remain tight in terms of vacancy rates, although rental growth is likely to ease during the year, according to a March quarter report from CB Richard Ellis.

Osbourne Park-based Wooldridges A&M, a major player in the schools supply sector, has become the latest investment for Sydney-based private equity player Fulcrum Capital Partners.

Alan Carpenter has had a tough run as premier but a close analysis shows he is more powerful than ever. Mark Beyer reports.