Business News

Mineral sands minder Iluka Resources says it has agreed with joint venture partner Vale to end plans to develop a titanium project in Brazil after deeming it unfeasible.

Civil and mining contractor NRW Holdings has announced plans to buy the east coast operations of failed mining services company Hughes Drilling, with the acquisition price undisclosed.

Debt-troubled Paladin Energy has started discussions with some of its stakeholders and convertible bond holders about the looming deadline for a $US212 million repayment, as a cloud hovers over the company’s planned sale of a stake in its Langer Heinrich uranium mine to meet those repayments.

Martin Rogers has resigned as executive chair and director of Actinogen Medical. Mr  Rogers has been chairman since Actinogen Medical’s inception in late 2014.

The federal government’s plan for a 15 per cent rate backpacker tax has been knocked down in the Senate, with the state’s farming body left furious and desperate for a solution.

Seventeen Perth-based startup organisations have been selected to participate in the KPMG Energise and OzAPP Awards accelerator programs to help grow their businesses.

Mel Ashton has retired as director and chair of Empired. Current director Richard Bevan will become chair, and Thomas Stianos has been appointed as director.

Fortescue Metals Group has recognised the family of chairman Andrew Forrest by naming four new very large ore carrier (VLOC) vessels after his wife and children.

Former MZI Resources managing director Trevor Matthews has been named chief executive of local graphite hopeful Volt Resources.

Western Areas has locked in its second nickel offtake agreement in as many days, announcing today a deal with BHP Billiton subsidiary Nickel West for product from its Forrestania nickel mine.

Perth-based oil and gas explorer TTE Petroleum has recruited former Liquefied Natural Gas boss Maurice Brand as part of a board restructure that includes the resignation of current chair Darren Levy and the movement of chief executive Paul Garner to a non-executive role.

The state government has allocated $2 million for a new co-working space in Karratha to promote small business and startups in the area.

David Parker has resigned as director of Aurora Labs.

Coventry Group has appointed its former chief financial officer Robert Bulluss as company secretary following the resignation of Chris Lloyd. 

Perth contractor Brierty has confirmed it expects to report a significant uplift in half-year profit after cutting back costs and adopting a ‘back to basics’ strategy.

The state’s agricultural body has welcomed the Commonwealth’s decision to reduce its planned backpacker tax to 15 per cent, less than half than what was originally proposed.

Perth-based Tap Oil has settled its outstanding disputes with its second-largest shareholder, days before the matters were to hit the courts in Singapore.

A $10 million renewable energy-powered microgrid, which has the potential to become Australia’s largest, has been given the green light for development in Kalbarri.

ResignationsDr Nigel Finch has resigned as director and chairman of Panorama Synergy. Managing director Terry Walsh has been appointed as acting chairman.

Saybubble has been named Techboard’s highest trending company for this fortnight, following strong international news coverage and social media engagement.

The founding managing director of Doray Minerals has announced his resignation after nearly eight years in the role, citing personal reasons for his departure, with non-executive director Leigh Junk to fill the role until a full-time candidate is found.

Perth-based Valmec has won a $6.6 million contract to provide its services to Saracen Mineral Holdings at the gold miner’s Thunderbox operations.

Three local businesses have been inducted into Family Business Australia’s hall of fame, including an electrical contractor established in 1920, a fertiliser supplier and an engineering business that recently listed on the ASX. 

Real Estate Institute of Western Australia boss Hayden Groves says residential leasing activity continues to improve across the Perth metro area, as the central sub-region’s median rent falls to $380 per week.

Aerial imagery company Nearmap has announced plans to raise up to $25 million from investors to fund development, sales and marketing work.

Probuild has awarded Perth-based Global Construction Services a $59 million contract for work on the $500 million Ritz-Carlton hotel and The Towers apartments project at Elizabeth Quay.

The auditor general says former transport minister Dean Nalder’s decision to withhold information from parliament about his proposed Max Light Rail project was unreasonable, as the details were already in the public domain.

Perth-based technology company Smart Parking has announced plans to raise up to $10.9 million from investors to fund enhancements to its products, as well as sales and marketing work.

The Environmental Protection Authority has recommended approval of Fortescue Metals Group’s proposed extension plans at its Solomon iron ore operations near Tom Price, subject to a number of strict conditions.

Perth-based tech startup Fleetsu has taken home the top prize at the Motorola Solutions public safety hackathon for its safety mobile application.

Picton-based Piacentini & Son has won a contract to undertake mining work at Galaxy Resources’ Mt Cattlin lithium project near Ravensthorpe.