Latest Headlines

Perth-based mineral explorer Arafura Resources NL has raised around $18.5 million through a placement to fund the operation of a rare earths treatment plant and further drilling at its Nolans project.

Mt Pleasant-based Centamin Egypt Ltd has raised around $114 million through an underwritten placement to Canadian investors, enabling it to pay out its debt and continue development of its Egyptian gold project.

West Perth-based private company Asia Resources 168 Ltd has signed a farm-in deal with Carnegie Minerals Plc, which will see the UK-based company fund a nickel and iron exploration program on Asia Resources' tenements on Indonesia's Obi Island.

West Perth-based Western Areas NL and Melbourne-based Troy Resources NL have signed an agreement to explore for nickel at Sandstone in Western Australia, the companies have announced.

Funding problems surrounding West Perth-based Sphere Investments Ltd's Guelb el Aouj iron ore project in Mauritania have been resolved, with one party to a joint venture planning to take a 49.9 per cent stake deciding to go it alone.

Palmary Enterprises has stated categorically that it does not have an interest in a mystery 16 per cent shareholding in takeover target Consolidated Minerals Ltd, nor does its president Gennadiy Bogolyubov or his business associate Igor Kolomoisky.

Henderson-based ship builder Austal Ltd has blamed a difference of opinion between project partner General Dynamics and their client, the US Navy, for a cancelled order that has seen its share price fall 14 per cent today.

Planned development of West Perth-based mineral sands explorer Industrial Minerals Corporation Ltd's Oregon Heavy Minerals Project has hit a snag, with local residents appealing the government's approval of the project.

Perth-based internet providers EFTel Ltd and iiNet Ltd today announced plans to launch innovative broadband services, designed to help them take market share from the incumbents, led by Telstra.

Talk of a correction to Perth's housing market is exaggerated, due to a lack an understanding of how the property market works in Western Australia, according to the Property Council of Australia.

Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd has won the 2007 MINEX Award, the mining industry's highest accolade for safety and health practices.

It's been a bumper day for capital raisings on the Australian Securities Exchange, with six Western Australian mining and mineral services companies in the midst of raising $250 million in additional funding.

In a week where three Western Australian resources companies made their debuts on the Australian Securities Exchange, Leederville-based gold explorer Midwinter Resources NL has come out on top - up 72 per cent on its offer price.

West Perth-based Straits Resources Ltd subsidiary Straits Asia Resources Ltd will acquire the Jembayan coal mine in East Kalimantan for around $379 million, the company has announced.

Applecross-based engineering services giant Monadelphous Group Ltd has secured new construction projects worth around $180 million, the comapny has announced.

Consolidated Minerals Ltd bidder Pallingurst Resources Ltd has maintained the heat on rival bidder Palmary Enterprises by providing "prima facie evidence" that Palmary president Gennadiy Bogolyubov and Igor Kolomoisky are business associates.

Leederville-based iron ore explorer Cape Lambert Iron Ore Ltd has acquired three tenements adjacent to its namesake project for $4 million in cash and scrip, the company has announced.

Iron ore miner Midwest Corporation Ltd has been granted a last minute extension by the minister for planning and infrastructure Alannah MacTiernan to continue trucking its ore to the Geraldton port until December 31.

The State Government has released the final management plan for the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park off the coast of Rockingham.

The National Australia Day Council has announced the State and Territory finalists for the Australian of the Year Awards 2008, with Western Australia's Mark Bin Bakar, George Jelinek, David Joske and Patricia Lavater among the nominees for the top prize.

The State Government will call for tenders to supply 26 gigawatt hours - five per cent of the energy it needs - from a renewable source, Energy Minister Francis Logan has announced.

Iron ore producer Midwest Corporation is staring down the barrel of $3.3 million in lost earnings if it fails to secure an extension for road haulage of its ore from the State Government, with its current extension expiring today.

View Resources Ltd has suspended its shares amid speculation of a $10 million placement, roughly equal to 10 per cent of its current market capitalisation.

Ukrainian group Palmary Enterprises Ltd has denied having an interest in a mystery 8.1 per cent stake in takeover target Consolidated Minerals Ltd, which has been linked in press reports to a business partner of Palmary president Gennadiy Bogolyubov.

West Perth-based mineral explorer EnviroGold Ltd has closed its $16 million capital raising oversubscribed and two weeks ahead of schedule, the company has announced.

The State Government's Forest Products Commission has signed a $12 million deal with Nedlands-based Plantation Energy Ltd to supply low grade plantation pine logs to the company for use in its timber fuel pellet plant.

Perth-based commercial property investor Aspen Group Ltd's Aspen Parks Property Fund has acquired eight caravan parks in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales for a combined $54.6 million, the company has announced.

Osborne Park-based Fairstar Resources Ltd has hit back at a claim by its takeover target, Leederville-based gold explorer Golden West Resources Ltd, that the company had failed to outline tax consequences for shareholders accepting the offer.

Patersons Securities Limited has announced plans to establish a funds management division, joining other stockbroking firms such as Euroz Securities and Argonaut Securities in making this move.

ARC Energy is standing by its plan to pursue a $1.1 billion merger with Anzon Australia Ltd despite attempts by one of its biggest shareholders, Clive Palmer's Mineralogy Pty Ltd, to oust the current board and scrap the merger.

West Perth-based gold and base metals explorer Shield Mining Ltd will not exercise an option to earn in on projects in Madagascar held by Canada-based Majescor Resources Inc, the company has announced.

The State Government has launched an advertising campaign to encourage businesses to take on more apprentices and trainees, after Education Department figures revealed employer numbers were not keeping pace with the growth in numbers of budding tradespeop