Mining

Mining contractor Perenti has released a lower full-year earnings guidance, sending its shares down 10 per cent at the ASX open, despite bringing back a $15 million interim payout.

Shares in Western Areas closed up 16 per cent today after the nickel producer released results from its first drill hole at the Sahara prospect, located at the company’s Gawler project in South Australia.

Kalamazoo Resources was trading up to 55 per cent higher on the ASX today after announcing the completed purchase of Northern Star Resources’ Ashburton gold project in the Pilbara.

The resources sector has welcomed the federal government’s decision to invest a further $125 million into an exploration program led by Geoscience Australia, which has now been expanded to cover exploration across the country.

OZ Minerals is set to gain full control of the West Musgrave nickel-copper asset in Western Australia after announcing a friendly takeover of project partner Cassini Resources.

EHR Resources has launched a $12 million capital raising to fund diamond exploration overseas, while Rumble Resources is raising $6 million to fund its next gold drilling program in Western Australia.

Strandline Resources has secured a major portion of capital costs for its Coburn mineral sands project, with the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) to provide up to $150 million in funding.

BHP Nickel West has invested in a new growth opportunity by acquiring the Honeymoon Well development project from Russia’s Norilsk Nickel, which is exiting Australia.

Cardinal Resources has received an all-cash takeover bid from Chinese producer Shandong Gold, which has offered to buy the West Perth-based company for 60 cents per share.

Retaining fly-in, fly-out workers could become a major issue for the Western Australian mining sector, with a report suggesting companies lack a clear understanding of the benefits valued most by their employees.

The administrators of Gascoyne Resources have recommended creditors support a deed of company arrangement (DOCA) that includes a capital raising targeting up to $80 million and a potential full return to unsecured creditors.

GR Engineering Services has received a letter of intent from Silver Lake Resources to complete $23 million in upgrade works at the Deflector gold-copper operation in Western Australia.

Collie mining company Griffin Coal has been fined $210,000 and ordered to pay $23,000 in costs over a workplace fatality in 2018.

An Aboriginal group that gets most of its funding from BHP Nickel West has launched a Federal Court claim it says will guide compensation negotiations with native title holders across the country.

Traditional owners who were devastated by Rio Tinto's destruction of ancient rock shelters in the Pilbara say they are trying to restore their fractured relationship but question the sincerity of the company's apology.

IGO has struck another farm-in deal in the Fraser Range, agreeing to fund exploration at Matsa Resources' Symons Hill nickel project, with the potential to secure a 70 per cent stake over the next three years.

BHP has hired biotech CSL's finance boss, David Lamont, who will return to the mining giant.

Goldminer Blackham Resources has substantially downgraded its production guidance for the 2020 financial year, citing operational delays at two of its Western Australian mines.

Shares in Rox Resources have risen by more than 50 per cent today after the gold explorer released latest assays for its Youanmi joint venture project in Western Australia.

Worley has secured further work at a number of Alcoa of Australia’s operations under a new three-year services agreement.

Western Australia’s planned new laws to accelerate major project approvals would be a good model for other states and should be passed through state parliament quickly, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said today.

Gold explorer Vango Mining has launched a $15 million share placement to fund upcoming drill programs at its flagship Marymia project in Western Australia.

Salt Lake Potash has moved into the construction stage for its Lake Way project in Western Australia's Goldfields after signing two contracts with GR Engineering Services, worth a combined $107 million.

The London-based exchange that sets standards for the global gold industry has commenced a review of The Perth Mint following reports the WA government-owned business was buying gold from unethical miners.

Explorers Kin Mining, Mindax and Bryah Resources have each launched capital raisings today, with the majority of the proceeds to advance drill programs in Western Australia, while Chile-focused Tesoro Resources is seeking funds to advance its El Zorro gold project.

Gold miner Saracen Mineral Holdings has been added to the S&P/ASX 100 stock index, reflecting strong growth in the company’s market value this year, while Seven West Media’s steep slide has see

The big iron ore miners exporting out of Port Hedland will have to pay up to $220 million to property owners in the town’s West End, under a buy-back scheme announced by the state government today.

BHP said today it would not disturb 40 Aboriginal heritage sites in the Pilbara until it has consulted with the native title holders, just weeks after gaining government approval to clear the sites.

Piedmont Lithium has launched a $29 million capital raising to advance its namesake project in the US, while Arafura Resources and Vimy Resources are raising funds to develop rare earth and uranium projects in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Southern Cross Electrical Engineering is still pursuing a claim for $11 million from Decmil in relation to a subcontract, saying today that an adjudication last week requiring Decmil to pay just $152,657 was only a preliminary ruling.

UPDATED: The Perth Mint has launched a review of its audit practices after reports the WA government-owned gold refiner failed to apply appropriate checks on its customers, notably unethical gold miners in Papua New Guinea.

Metals X has signed a $32 million farm-in and joint venture agreement with IGO, which will explore the company’s copper operations in the Paterson province, while also announcing the potential restart of its Nifty operations.