During his two years at Business News, Michael covered public policy issues, with a broad interest in the relationship between business and politics. He holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Western Australia. michael.ramsey@businessnews.com.au
New home sales in Western Australia increased by 11 per cent in 2013 but housing experts say construction levels still haven't caught up with pent-up demand.
Perth-based Independence Group will pay up to $6.5 million to earn-in to prospective base metal tenements held by Alchemy Resources in the northern Goldfields.
Large companies dominated the initial public offering market in 2013, with 96 per cent of all funds raised coming from companies with a market capitalisation of more than $100 million.
Continental Coal has secured a short-term funding deal which will allow it to continue trading but at the expense of its chief executive and several other directors.
Struggling contractor Forge Group has forecast a loss of up to $25 million for the 2014 financial year, slashing its earnings guidance on the back of cost blow-outs at several projects.
Ausdrill has struck up an alliance with gold explorer Azumah Resources, agreeing to invest $2 million in the company following the appointment of Ausdrill subsidiary African Mining Services as Azumah's preferred mining contractor.
The value of mergers and acquisitions in the Western Australian gold sector over the past 12 months has reached close to $650 million, analysis by Business News has found.
Queensland-based explorer Pacific Niugini has made a $6.8 million bid to purchase an 80 per cent stake in Bulletin Resources' Halls Creek gold projects, dwarfing an original offer from Bulletin's major shareholder Matsa Resources.
Northern Star Resources looks set to emerge as the fifth biggest gold mine operator in Western Australia following its $75 million acquisition of Barrick Gold's majority stake in the East Kundana joint venture and the Kanowna Belle mine.
Plans for a major industrial hub at Forrestdale are gathering momentum, with planning approvals granted and manufacturing giant Hitachi preparing to start construction on a new $100 million headquarters.
Leading property developer Nigel Satterley has hit back at claims the first home owners grant is a policy failure, arguing the grant has provided an ongoing boost to the Western Australian housing market.
Empire Oil & Gas has appointed former Woodside Petroleum executive Stuart Brown to its board as the company's new management looks to recruit experienced directors to guide its future.
Saracen Mineral Holdings has purchased the Thunderbox gold project from Norilsk Nickel for $23 million, in a deal which could double the company's production to up to 270,000 ounces per year.
Sandfire Resources says it remains on track to achieve full-year production guidance, despite posting softer results from its DeGrussa copper-gold mine in the December quarter.
CO2 Group has sacked long-serving chief executive Andrew Grant as it pushes on with its bid to recast the business as an environmental services and aquaculture player.
Royal Dutch Shell has announced it will sell its minority stake in Chevron's Wheatstone liquefied natural gas project and a related joint venture to the Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company for $US1.13 billion.
Wesfarmers is set to acquire a coal development licence worth $70 million from Peabody Energy, in a purchase which the company says will boost its total coal reserves by about 29 per cent.
Paladin Energy managing director John Borshoff says the company's $US190 million sale of a minority stake in its Langer Heinrich mine vindicates a decision to walk away from sale negotiations last year.
More than 20,000 Western Australians bought their first home in 2013 in another sign of strengthening activity in WA's residential construction sector.
Shares in West Perth explorer Riedel Resources have skyrocketed after Fortescue Metals Group agreed to farm-in to its Charteris Creek tenement in a deal worth up to $1 million.
The newly-appointed Perth-based chairman of national accountancy group Walker Wayland Australasia says he plans to use his new role to grow the business in Western Australia.
Apartment developer Finbar has issued half-year after tax profit guidance of about $19 million, a figure that represents a $5 million increase on the previous corresponding period.
Government regulator Energy Safety has confirmed last weekend's devastating Parkerville fire, which claimed 52 homes, was caused by the failure of a privately owned power pole.
Waste management company Tox Free Solutions has bolstered its order book, securing new contracts with Titan Energy and Rio Tinto's Dampier Salt business.
Woodside Petroleum has inked a deal to supply about 1.5 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas over three years to Japanese utility Chubu Electric Power.
Core Services Group has completed a long-planned all-scrip acquisition of Marcon Group worth up to $10.7 million, with an over-subscribed capital raising sealing a deal first announced in November 2012.
