Staff Reporters

Perth-based Integra Mining has announced several new high-grade drilling results at its Santa project near Kalgoorlie as the company looks to begin gold production.

Western Australia's unemployment rate rose slightly in August to a seasonally adjusted 4.5 per cent, compared with 4.4 per cent in July according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Nedlands-based Brockman Resources says the maiden hematite iron ore reserve estimate for its Marillana project in the Pilbara is more than 1 billion tonnes.

The competition watchdog said yesterday a decision to allow the partners in Western Australia's North West Shelf gas project to continue to jointly market and sell natural gas to WA customers was made to avoid "significant commercial risk".

The Australian Securities and Investment Commission says a recent Federal Court decision has affirmed that large proprietary companies must lodge financial reports.

A poll of Western Australian business leaders has found many CEOs aren't overly worried by continued electricity increases.

Resolute Mining has announced record monthly production from its Syama gold mine in Mali.

Growing demand for Australian liquefied natural gas in Japan, China and Taiwan culminated in record production during the 2010 financial year according to energy economics group EnergyQuest.

West African-focused miner Sundance Resources has signed an agreement with CRCC China-Africa Construction to study the company's rail needs at Sundance's Mbalam Project.

Centaurus Metals is seeking to raise up to $18 million through a share placement plan to accelerate growth in its Brazilian iron ore projects.

Integrated engineering services company, Norfolk Group has been awarded a contract worth more than $40 million for the Pilbara Underground Power Project in Karratha.

Julia Gillard will remain Prime Minister after securing the support of two of the three rural Independent MPs to form government.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has left the cash rate at 4.5 per cent following its monthly board meeting.

The Independent member of Kennedy Bob Katter says he will back a Coalition government.

The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union and union boss Joe McDonald have been fined $48,000 in the Federal Court for engaging in an unlawful strike at the City Square project in July last year.

The downward spiral of managed investment schemes has continued with forestry products operator Willmott Forest being placed in receivership.

Oil and gas exploration and production company Oilex has announced a significant upgrade to its reserves and contingent for the Cambay Field in India.

The state opposition claims millions of dollars in federal funding earmarked for infrastructure projects in WA could be put at risk should the three unaligned independent MPs side with the federal coalition.

Enterprise Metals has found what the company believes is a significant iron ore reserve at Burracoppin in the state's wheatbelt.

Norton Gold Fields has announced it is completely unhedged after settling a dispute with Lehman Brothers Commercial.

Iron ore company Centaurus Metals has appointed George Jones as a strategic consultant as the company moves towards production from its Brazilian iron ore projects.

Newmont Mining has agreed to be a cornerstone investor in Middle Island Resources, which is planning a $12.5 million initial public offering and hopes to list on the Australian Securities Exchange later this year.

Sandfire Resources has announced another resource upgrade for its DeGrussa Copper-Gold project near Meekatharra.

A Brookfield Multiplex and Laing O'Rourke joint venture and a joint venture between John Holland and GHD have been short-listed as the final proponents for the $600 million rail component of the Perth City Link Project.

Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers has received Commonwealth approval for its Collie Urea project.

Northern Uranium hopes to raise $6.6 million in a renounceable rights issue to fund its ongoing uranium and rare earth explorations.

Civil contractor Brierty has appointed Tony Bevan as CEO for six months following the resignation of Stuart Crofts last month.

Atlas Iron has begun delivering ore to the new Utah Port from the Wodgina and Pardoo mines in the North Pilbara.

Fortescue Metals boss Andrew Forrest and Independent MP Rob Oakeshott have talked about the idea of a Taxation Summit during a meeting today.

Julia Gillard's chances of remaining prime minister have been boosted, with Independent MP Andrew Wilkie saying he will back a Labor minority government, one day after independent Tony Windsor questioned the coalition's credentials.

The shires of Broome, Derby-West Kimberley, Halls Creek and Wyndham-East Kimberley have agreed to talk about how they can work more closely together.

Perth-based Clough Limited has announced that the Clough Curtain joint venture has received firm work orders worth $250 million associated with its upstream infrastructure contract for the PNG LNG plant.