Edited announcement

Alinta Ltd has made more interim management decisions in the wake of the managment buy-out which has occupied its senior executive ranks and former chairman John Poynton.

West Perth-based platinum company Nkwe Platinum Ltd will go ahead with plans to acquire a 74 per cent interest in Genorah Resources Ltd's Garatouw platinum project, after declaring the bid unconditional today.

Perth-based mineral explorer Indo Mines Ltd has appointed former Superpit mining manager Philip Welten as managing director, the company announced today.

The opportunity for resource companies and prospectors to revert applications for mining leases to prospecting or exploration licences will close on February 9.

Base metals miner Vulcan Resources Ltd has signed an agreement with Helsinki-based talc miner Mondo Minerals OY to mine and explore on its tenements for a 1 euro per tonne royalty.

Shares in West Perth oil and gas exploration company Otto Energy Ltd closed up 1.5c to 18.5c after moving a rig to a new gas discovery well for flow testing.

The former manager of the meat program within the Department of Agriculture and Food, Renata Paliskis-Bessell, had been appointed chief executive of the Western Australian Meat Industy Authority, winning the support of the WAFarmers Meat Council.

Bunnings Property Management Ltd will acquire three office and warehouse properties from fellow Wesfarmers subsidiary J Blackwood and Son Ltd on a sale and leaseback basis, for $19.3 million, the company announced today.

A radioactive mining exploration tool has been found by the road 245 kilometres north of Perth, Health Department officials confirmed today.

Small Business Minister Margaret Quirk has today issued an urgent warning, alerting small business operators to be aware of fraudsters claiming to represent the State Government.

Axiom Properties Ltd has announced two projects, including a child care centre in Brighton, as part of a strategic alliance with its major shareholder, Pivot Group.

Perth-based seafood company Australis Aquaculture Ltd has raised $1.5 million through a placement of 3 million shares at 50 cents each, the company announced today.

West Perth uranium company Uran Ltd has announced plans to spin off its nickel exploration assets into a separate company, to enhance its focus on eastern european uranium projects.

West Perth-based uranium company WildHorse Energy Ltd has added to its Hungarian asset portfolio, being granted a prospecting licence for some 177 sqkm of land close to the company's existing projects.

Subiaco-based construction firm DORIC has formed an alliance with Canning Bridge-based management consultancy Projenco to significantly expand its engineering construction division.

Northbridge-based Coziron Resources Ltd has signed an agreement with Perth's Grange Resources Ltd, which could see Coziron pocket $1 million after in exchange for a 50 per cent share holding of some potential coal tenements.

The market capitalisation of Western Australian listed companies in the Deloitte WA Index jumped by $8.19 billion to $125 billion, an increase of 7 per cent, from November to December 2006.

Leederville-based iron ore company Cape Lambert Iron Ore Ltd has issued 600,000 shares and made an option payment of $200,000 to Wickham-based Norwest Sand & Gravel for three potential iron ore tenements.

Housing and Works Minister Michelle Roberts has named the three construction companies invited to tender for the State Government's Perth Arena project - an indoor sports and entertainment venue.

The Australian Government, in partnership with state and territory governments, is preparing a nomination for World Heritage listing of 11 of Australia's convict sites, the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, announced today.

Western Australian-based gold and base metals exploration company, Rubicon Resources Ltd today announced that its $10 million IPO had closed early and over-subscribed.

South Perth minerals player Independence Group NL has won promotion to the S&P/ASX 200 following the demise of Alinta Infrastructure Holdings Ltd which has been taken over by its former parent Alinta Ltd.

Diamond exploration programs in Australia and Africa will be the focus of funds from a $1.2 million capital raising announced by ASX-listed explorer, Paramount Mining Corporation.

New boat launching facilities and the redevelopment of the Port Headland Yacht Club are just some of the initiatives to be undertaken after the State Government and BHP Billiton Iron Ore committed a further $2.2 million to enchance the town site.

Perth diamond explorer Paramount Mining Corporation has issued a prospectus to raise $1.2 million to fund exploration programs in Australia and Africa.

Plans for Rottnest Island's new 120-room hotel have been unveiled by Tourism Minister Sheila McHale.

The successful completion and commissioning of the Goldfields Gas Interconnect Project has resulted in the Goldfields and the Pilbara gaining access to a major additional source of gas supply - amounting to new capacity of up to 160 TJ of gas per day.

Eight people, including a former police officer and one who has been stood down, have been charged with a total of 38 offences by the Corruption and Crime Commission over a scam to have traffic infringements withdrawn.

Treasurer Eric Ripper today said he had listened to the community and he believed there was not sufficient support to justify immediate changes to retail trading laws.

Perth-based industrial giant Wesfarmers Ltd has reinstated its dividend reinvestment scheme after a four-year suspension after a series of acquisitions.

National real estate and property management company Wentworth Holdings Ltd has commenced the new year with two strategically important acquisitions along Victoria's coast line.

Australian Healthcare Group Ltd has announced that mediation in relation to litigation by PharmAust Ltd has been adjourned, but it remains confident that the matter can be resolved without going to trial.