Latest Headlines

Shares in Subiaco-based Strategic Minerals Corporation NL were down 10 per cent at close of trade after Oxiana Ltd announced it would not proceed to the second stage of a farm-in agreement over the Woolgar uranium project in Queensland.

US-based Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific has acquired the Broadwater Resort & Spa, Dunsborough, for a price in line with the site's $12.3 million book value, vendor West Perth-based Westralia Property Trust Ltd has announced.

The State Government is seeking public comment on the future management of the Millstream-Chichester National Park, in the Pilbara, Environment Minister David Templeman has announced.

The mystery holder of 17.7 per cent of West Perth-based takeover target Consolidated Minerals Ltd has been tracked to Cyprus, via Ukraine and the Czech Republic, the company has announced.

Herdsman-based Olympia Resources Ltd will acquire a zircon concentrate processing plant in Kalimantan ahead of the company's own mine being set up.

Subiaco-based manganese explorer Spitfire Resources Ltd will today open its initial public offer, aiming to raise $4 million for exploration and working capital.

The State Government is evaluating the establishment of a new outer harbour at Port Hedland to accomodate the Pilbara's surging export volumes, marking a major shift from its plan to develop a new iron ore port at Ronsard Island.

Xstrata meets with WA government to discuss its $3.1b Jubilee takeover; Harold Clough quits Clough board after family sell down; Coventry rose by 3pcts yesterday; WA Department of Agriculture quits involvement in wheat breeding; Myer staff wins pay rise.

Harold Clough has stepped down from the engineering company founded by his father.

Specialist mining and energy software developer ISS Group Ltd has disclosed that its European office has concluded a purchase agreement with BG International, formerly British Gas.

Automotive parts supplier Allomak Ltd has made its second Western Australian acquisition, agreeing to buy Alanco Australia Pty Ltd for an undisclosed sum.

Mine developer Precious Metals Australia Ltd has negotiated a new gas supply agreement for its Windimurra vanadium project with Santos Ltd, two months after Santos cancelled their original $35 million agreement.

Perth-based gas developer Po Valley Energy Ltd has awarded a $10 million contract for its first production plant in Itay, which is targeted to start producing in the third quarter of next year.

West Perth-based oil explorer Otto Energy Ltd has struck a deal to acquire an 18 per cent interest in a Philippines oil field that is set to enter production in April next year.

Specialist engineering company Neptune Marine Services Ltd has continued its rapid expansion by announcing plans to acquire Aberdeen-based Ross Deeptech Initiatives Ltd for $25 million in cash.

Two weeks after listing on the Australian Securities Exchange, Empired Ltd has acquired fellow Western Australian IT services company Quadrant Group for more than $1.7 million in cash plus 300,000 share options.

Private Brisbane company ERM Power is expected to proceed shortly with a new gas-fired power station at Neerabup, just north of Perth, after gaining environmental approval.

The Environmental Protection Authority has recommended approval for a major expansion of Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines Pty Ltd's Super Pit mining operation.

ANZ raising equity in Hong Kong and Singapore; ASA slams calls on AGM; Big drilling program planned after Spitfire $4m float; Macquarie leading $7-billion takeover of US Puget Energy; Labor raises climates stakes as Kyoto row heats up.

This week, as Prime Minister John Howard incurred the wrath of dog-walkers and Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd was ticked off by angry choristers, the economy remained the number one issue as the consumer price index was released.

Coogee Chemicals chairman Gordon Martin has backed a recapitalisation of Fremantle-based Frankland River Olive Company Ltd, which is aiming to raise a total of $5.9 million through a placement and rights issue.

Tap Oil Ltd has signed its third gas sales contract in the past two months, lifting its total revenue from the new agreements to $243 million over the coming decade.

East Perth-based company Hydrotech International Ltd will work with China International Engineering Consulting Corporation to promote its Multi Pulse sequencing system in China, the company has announced.

South Perth-based energy company Aviva Corporation Ltd will incorporate emissions technology for carbon capture, desulfurisation and air cooling in its Coolimba Power project, south of Eneabba.

West Perth-based minerals explorer Bass Metals Ltd will raise $5.4 million through a placement to bolster working capital, including development at Que River and the company exploration program.

Wesfarmers Ltd and the UWA Perth International Arts Festival have won the top prize for a business arts partnership at the national Australia Business Arts Foundation Awards, held in Sydney last night.

More enhanced nickel exploration campaigns over greenfields provinces could push Western Australia's nickel production ranking from third place to first, according to Geological Survey of WA project leader Franco Pirajno.

West Perth-based Straits Resources Ltd subsidiary Straits Asia Resources Ltd has entered into a deal to acquire two coal tenements north of its Sebuku Island operations for around $153.8 million, the company has announced.

West Perth-based Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd has announced plans to spin out subsidiary Gas Link Global Ltd after completing a capital restructure on the company and raising $7.5 million.

West Perth-based metals explorer Azure Minerals Ltd will sell its Splinter Magnetite project to Sydney-based Icon Resources Ltd for $2 million, in line with its plans to focus on its Mexican assets, the company has announced.

UWA physics professor and gravity expert David Blair was last night named Western Australian Scientist of the year at the Premier's Science Awards.

West Perth-based Precious Metals Australia Ltd has secured the principal environmental approvals necessary to reconstruct and commence operation of the Windimurra vanadium mine, the company has announced.