Edited announcement

Sundance Resources has raised $85 million from international institutional investors to complete a definitive feasibility study of its Mbalam Project, including mine, process, transport and port infrastructure and also provide general working capital.

A former Adelaide franchisee of Power Loan has been sentenced to six months in prison following a charge brought by Australian Securities & Investements Commission relating to investments in Westpoint financial products.

Cedar Woods Properties says it will restart its interim dividend next year after it tipped a $12.5 million full year profit for 2009/10 on the back of a strengthening residential property market.

The federal government has announced it will deliver a free superannuation clearing house service for small businesses with less than 20 employees through Medicare Australia.

The state's leading business lobby organisation said problems such as severe labour shortages, a lack of affordable housing, and infrastructure bottlenecks will hamper the state from realising its full economic potential.

The Griffin Group's Ric Stowe has affirmed his reclusive reputation by asking ratings agency Standard and Poor's to withdraw its debt ratings on his diversified private company, which has $US475 million of debt.

Azumah Resources has raised more than $4 million through an oversubscribed share placement as part of its push to fast-track exploration and development at its Wa gold project in Ghana.

China has entered into the takeover battle for coal company Rocklands Richfield with Meijin Energy Group proposing a $154 million offer, trumping India's Jindal Steel and Power's $144 million offer.

The state government will take over funding of the Australian Technical College in the Pilbara from the federal government, which will not renew an act covering the operation of the college.

Penalties of up to $1.1 million will apply to businesses engaged in unconscionable conduct as the federal government moves to strengthen the Franchising Code of Conduct and parts of the Trade Practices Act.

Chinese company CREC Resources has received approvals from the Foreign Investment Review Board and the Chinese regulatory body for its proportional takeover of Perth-based RMA Energy.

Ian Burston has been appointed as non-executive director of gold explorer Carrick Gold.

Dianella real estate agent, Alexander Landa, who has been previously fined for misconduct, has today been disqualified from the industry for two years.

Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore has today opened the Newman mining hub, a key component of BHP Billiton Iron Ore's $US1.85 billion Rapid Growth Project Four.

Woodside Petroleum will raise $US700 million through the issue of corporate bonds in the United States to repay short-term debt and general corporate purposes.

Rio Tinto is rebuilding ship loading infrastructure at its Dampier Salt operation in Port Hedland, which will allow ships to be loaded faster and reduce environmental impacts.

The latest capital raising for Peet's residential land syndicate, the Peet Point Cook Kingsford Syndicate has closed oversubscribed with investors applying for more than 22 million units.

Water Minister Graham Jacobs has today ruled out the damming of the Denmark and Styx rivers as potential water sources for the lower Great Southern region.

The South West's two biggest business groups have called on the state government to make a decision on the future of Millennium Inorganic Chemicals' solid waste disposal site.

Mirabela Nickel will ramp up production at its Santa Rita operation in Brazil over the next three months as it produces its first nickel concentrate.

Satterley Property Group has secured a $36 million contract from the state government to build 231 affordable new homes as part of the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Package.

Perth toy company Brainytoys will rethink its direction after entering into a recapitalisation agreement with the Athan Lekkas-backed Dalext as director John Walker steps down.

Psychiatric hospital Perth Clinic and pork abattoir PPC Linley Valley Fresh were among six winners recognised at the 2009 Work Safety Awards WA over the weekend.

Mirabela Nickel has appointed former Norilsk Nickel Australia managing director Ian Purdy as its chief executive, who takes over from Nick Poll who continues as executive director strategy.

Forge Group subsidiary, Cimeco, has won two contracts valued at $60 million for work at CITIC Pacific's Sino iron project and the Southern Seawater desalination plant.

Western Australia's South West region has made it into the top 10 most desirable holiday destinations according to travel guide company, Lonely Planet.

Engineering and construction company Decmil Group says it is in final stage negotiations over a $70 million contract for the Gorgon gas project while Ausgroup has been awarded $30 million worth of contracts for work on the Pluto operation.

The state opposition have highlighted Treasurer Troy Buswell's "incompetency" and "loose financial management" in reaction to the latest financial reports from the state government indicating WA currently has an operating deficit of almost $700 million.

The state government has called for expressions of interest for pilot water projects and associated works in the Pilbara worth up to $2.5 million a piece as part of the $300 million Royalties for Regions Pilbara Revitalisation Plan.

The state's peak business lobby group is calling on the state government to "urgently" streamline the public sector on the back of a new Economic Audit Committee report expected to be presented to the goverment in the coming days.

Gindalbie Metals has been given the all clear for its $1.86 billion Karara iron ore joint venture after it received the federal government's environmental approval.

Wolf Minerals has announced the completion of its $4 million placement to new strategic partners Traxys Projects and Resource Capital Funds.