Staff Reporters

Perth-based wealth management firm Plan B Group Holdings has moved to full ownership of Melbourne based advisory business Strategic Financial Management.

Shares in Iron Ore Holdings (IOH) have closed 3 per cent higher after the company announced its acquisition agreement with Rio Tinto over the Iron Valley project had expired.

The Town of Port Hedland has announced Doric Constructions and Earthcare Landscapes as the preferred bidders to build the town's new recreation facilities worth more than $45 million.

Software developer ISS Group has announced its estimated profit for the 2010 financial year will be $4.2 million after a 2009 loss of $2.9 million.

Sandfire Resources has decided not to let OZ Minerals, which recently took a large stake in the company, have a seat on its board.

A new multi-million dollar facility to train apprentices in the electrical and telecommunications industry has been opened in Jandakot today.

Private Perth business Sigma Group has sold its specialist manufacturing business to listed company XRF Scientific for $7 million.

The state government has chosen 20 builders to develop Karratha's second display village at Baynton West.

The board of media buyer and market researcher Mitchell Communication Group has agreed to a $363 million takeover offer by Aegis Group.

Shares in West Perth-based Atlantic have been placed in a trading halt pending an announcement regarding the Windimurra vanadium project.

Drake Resources and Panoramic Resources have joined forces to explore for base and precious metals, primarily in Scandinavia.

Monitor Energy has signed a $120 million Heads of Agreement (HOA) with SOCA Petroleum to acquire a 90 per cent interest in three production licences in producing onshore oilfields in Trinidad.

Nickel producer Mincor Resources has announced a 37 per cent increase in its ore reserves at its Kambalda Nickel Operation.

Global education provider Navitas has announced a 10 per cent jump in worldwide enrolments at its University Programs colleges for the second semester of 2010.

Reed Resources has completed a $7.5 million capital raising through a placement and will use the money to develop several of its projects including the Mt Marion lithium downstream processing project.

Perth-based internet service provider iiNet has entered a trading halt ahead of a possible acquisition.

Unlisted Perth company Sensear has completed a $7.1 million capital raising to support its global sales push and further enhance the company's innovative hearing technology.

SOUTH Korean copper smelting giant LS-Nikko Copper will take a 12.5 per cent stake in minerals explorer Sandfire Resources via a $93.9 million share placement.

IRON ore miner Grange Resources has disposed of two non-core assets so it can focus on its main business in Western Australia and Tasmania.

THE competition watchdog has upheld a decision not to allow five car rental companies the ability to collectively bargain with Westralia Airport Corporation over licence renewal terms at Perth Airport.

Former Perth finance executive John Van Der Wielen has joined ANZ Bank's management team Mr Van Der Wielen is leaving Lloyds Banking Group in London to become ANZ's managing director wealth (Australia).

Engineering firm Monadelphous Group has secured an $85 million transmission pipeline contract with Chevron Australia for the Gorgon LNG project.

The state government is calling for expressions of interest to develop the 4-hectare East Perth Riverside project into a Claisebrook Village style development.

The first shipment of nickel concentrate from Western Areas' Forrestania mine has left Esperance bound for China.

Sihayo Gold has announced a successful $10.8 million capital raising via a private placement which is being underwritten by majority shareholder Summit Investments.

Shares in West Perth-based Bass Metals have risen slightly in early trade after the company commissioned a metallurgical consultancy to undertake a scoping study at its Hellyer Tails resource in Tasmania.

Horseshoe Metals is expected to list on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) tomorrow after completing a $7 million initial public offering (IPO).

Shares in Venus Metals have jumped 27 per cent on news the company plans to commence a Scoping Study on the Yalgoo Iron Ore Project and move towards developing a world-class magnetite project.

International investment firm Laxey Partners appears to be pushing for control of Perth-based listed investment company LinQ Resources Fund.

The state government has announced an Expression of Interest (EOI) process to identify all viable water source options for the West Pilbara to underpin the development of the region.

Unlisted public company Cashmere Iron has appointed Morgan Stanley as an exclusive financial advisor to facilitate financing for its 1 billion tonne iron ore development in the Mid West.

A group representing junior to mid-tier miners says it will recommence television, radio and newpaper advertisments targeting the federal government's planned minerals resource rent tax.