Staff Reporters

Pilbara iron ore hopeful BC Iron has awarded Brisbane-based Watpac construction and services contracts, valued at more than $300 million, at the Nullagine joint venture.

Perth-based wealth management firm Plan B Group Holdings says managing director Denys Pearce will step down from the company immediately.

Kagara has today revealed details of its long-awaited initial public offer for spin-out Mungana Goldmines, which will hold the miner's gold assets.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA says it conditionally supports a federally funded health system but has raised questions over the reforms, including the government's plan to tackle the labour shortage in the health sector.

Shares in DMC Mining have risen after the junior iron ore explorer today received a better takeover offer for its shares compared to the $34 million offer from Cape Lambert Resources.

East Perth-based Legacy Iron Ore says it has been approached by several Chinese parties interested in forming a joint venture or acquiring a large shareholding.

Shares in Nedland-based Empire Oil and Gas surged higher today after it made a new gas discovery in the Perth Basin, near Gingin.

Macmahon Holdings has confirmed today it has been awarded a $90 million contract by national transport provider QR for the upgrade and expansion of a rail corridor in Queensland.

An independent assessment of Elph's proportional takeover offer for Coote Industrial has deemed the bid neither fair nor reasonable, and valued the target's shares at least 10 cents higher than the offer.

Troubled Nomad Building Solutions has had its bank facility extended by 60-days as it finalises terms and conditions for a longer-term renewal of its credit facilities.

Treasurer Troy Buswell says there will be no tax cuts for Western Australians in this year's budget.

Western Australia experienced the highest growth in owner occupier loans in February as national demand fell for the fifth straight month, new figures show.

BHP Billiton has held urgent talks with Mines Minister Norman Moore after it launched an inquiry into the death of a 45-year-old man at its Leinster nickel mine.

Swick Mining Services has gained further ground in the North American market, signing a drilling trial deal with Canadian nickel producer Vale Inco.

Revenue of commercial radio stations in Perth jumped 21 per cent in March, higher than the national surge of 15.6 per cent, amid an improving economy, new figures show.

Apex Minerals says it will consider a joint venture and other alternatives for its Youanmi gold project, which it has put up for sale.

Western Australia experienced the lowest sales growth of vehicles across the country as national sales increased by a record 25.2 per cent in March, a new report shows.

Shares in Atlas Iron were higher after the miner today gave a positive update on its Pilbara operations and its expectations on the iron ore price.

Shares in Western Australia's junior iron ore miners surged today after China's top steel industry body called for a two-month boycott of iron ore produced by BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Brazil's Vale.

Takeover target Mesa Minerals has received a requisition calling for the removal of four of its directors, less than a fortnight after shareholders voted down moves to oust the same directors.

Two separate property research organisations have released data on the value of houses in Perth, with one stating house prices dipped in the past few months while the other is forecasting the median price to pass the $500,000 mark in the March quarter.

Property developer Aspen Group says it is reviewing a Perth CBD commercial development site, but stopped short on confirming whether the property has links to embattled WA tycoon Rick Stowe.

The global financial crisis (GFC) did not stop the flow of credit to consumers looking to buy houses, despite the rising cost of funding those loans and tighter lending standards, the Reserve Bank of Australia says.

Automotive dealer Automotive Holdings Group says it will no longer distribute Vmoto branded scooters and related merchandise in Australia.

Councils and charities involved with Lehman Brothers Australia have had a win in the High Court today that paves the way for the group to proceed with legal action against the collapsed company.

Australian Rio Tinto executive Stern Hu has been sentenced to 10 years by a Chinese court after being found guilty of accepting bribes and stealing trade secrets.

The federal government has doubled funding for a training program that helps job seekers and existing workers to $50 million.

Resolute Mining will spin out its gold assets in Ghana to Osborne Park-based Viking Ashanti, which plans to open its $8 million initial public offer shortly.

Boutique brewer Little World Beverages says it is in talks to transform surplus land adjacent to its Fremantle pub into a small hotel.

Jandakot Airport has received final approval for its planned $60 million expansion, on condition that it protects an endangered cockatoo and native orchid species by buying land and providing $150,000 a year towards research.

Property developer Finbar Group has raised nearly $21 million which will be applied to its expansion plans in the Pilbara and continued growth opportunities in Perth.

A doubling of gas prices and increased competition have dampened the half-year result of Brickworks' Western Australia business.