Staff Reporters

Nursing agency Silver Chain has been announced as the winner of the 2010 Australian Business Award for Marketing Excellence.

Cash Convertors has acquired four franchise stores in the northern United Kingdom.

Engineering service provider RCR Tomlinson expects to record an increase in net profit after tax (NPAT) of 15 per cent for the 2010 financial year.

Ammtec has stepped up its campaign against a takeover bid by Queensland based Campbell Brothers.

West Australian Scott Walker is one of four men whose companies the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) has ordered be wound up over the possible operation of a Ponzi-style scheme.

Higher coal and iron ore prices pushed Australia's exports up by a record 16.1 per cent in the June quarter.

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.

The state government has announced existing and proposed aquaculture developments will no longer need approval under the Environmental Protection (EP) Act.

Swick Mining Services has signed yet another contract with Newmont, this time a short term diamond drilling contract at Newmont's Deep Star Mine in the United States state of Nevada.

Dale Elphinstone has taken over as chairman of Coote Industrial after his Tasmanian company Elph effectively took control of Coote.

WA's peak business body has criticised Labor's climate change policy which features greener standards for coal-fired power stations and the establishment of a citizen's assembly to discuss the issue.

A state government commissioned survey has found little evidence Lake Way near Wiluna was not adequately rehabilitated after uranium exploration in the 1970.

Emerging oil and gas developer New Standard Energy has announced plans for a $6.5 million capital raising to fund ongoing exploration of its gas projects in the Canning and Carnarvon Basins.

West Perth-based nickel miner Mincor Resources has released its quarterly report and announced a full year operating surplus of $83 million.

The $43 million re-construction of Berth 10 at Fremantle Port's North Quay by Thiess Georgiou has been opened and can now berth large ships.

The state government recovered almost $1.2 million in unpaid worker entitlements last financial year.

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.

Police and Nurses Mutual Banking has announced a $20 million operating profit before tax for the 2010 financial year.

Andrew Forest's Poseidon Nickel has successfully raised $3 million through a placement to fund exploration at its Windarra Nickel project.

The founder and initial developer of Carbon Conscious, Andrew McBain has resigned as a non-executive director of the company.

Mutiny Gold is set to take a 70 per cent stake in the Gullewa Gold Project in the Murchison from Canadian miner ATW Gold Corp for $9 million.

Energy and Minerals Australia (EMA) shares have closed 11 per cent higher after the company announced the Court of Appeal had dismissed an appeal brought by Yarri Mining to take control of the Mulga Rocks project.

Metallurgical and minerals testing consultancy, Ammtec has announced a $7.2 million net profit after tax for the 2010 financial year.

Skywest and Virgin Blue have signed an in principle agreement for a reciprocal codeshare arrangement in WA.

Intrepid Mines shareholders have approved the $40 million sale of the Paulsen's Gold Mine to Northern Star Resources.

Rio Tinto is to become the major shareholder in West Perth-based Rox Resources after reaching an agreement over the Reward zinc and lead project in the Northern Territory.

Integrated engineering company RCR Tomlinson has been awarded an $18.6 million contract for the 114 MW Cogeneration Project in Collie.

Territory Resources has announced $24.5 million quarterly earnings based on record operating revenue of $67.3 million.

Paladin Energy has made a $27 million off-market scrip takeover offer for Niger-focused uranium explorer NGM Resources.

Sinosteel Midwest has announced its first shipment of iron ore from its Mid West project has left for China after being delayed from departing for several days because of heavy seas.

The state government has launched a collaborative initiative with Challenger Institute of Technology, Woodside and Sage Technology to increase skills and workplace safety for oil and gas workers.

A major Chinese investment firm has received regulatory approval to take a 60 per cent equity stake in Asia Iron Holdings, the company behind the Extension Hill Mid West magnetite project.