Mining

Altura Mining has a new major shareholder, after Ningbo Shanshan acquired Shaanxi J&R Optimum Energy’s shares in the lithium miner.

AVZ Minerals has increased its stake in the Manono lithium and tin project by 5 per cent for US$5.5 million from Datchom Mining.

Shares in West Perth-based Hylea Metals were up 592 per cent today after the junior announced it acquired a 65 per cent stake in Paladin Energy’s Kayelekera uranium mine in Malawi.

Ausdrill’s underground contractor subsidiary, Barminco, has been awarded a five-year underground mining services contract at a copper mine in Botswana worth around $800 million.

Flinders Mines shareholders have backed the company's new board of directors and the prospects of a strategic review into infrastructure options for its flagship asset, the Pilbara Iron Ore Project.

Lynas Corporation won't cash in on the sharp short-term increase in rare earths prices related to the US-China trade war, saying it will stick to the long-term strategy it announced last month.

Shares in Altura Mining have surged 37 per cent since late Wednesday, after the company announced positive production results and its struggling former biggest investor sold its remaining stake in the company.

Neometals will be considering India as the location to build a lithium hydroxide refinery, but previously announced plans for the project to be built in Kalgoorlie will remain as an option.

Lynas Corporation chief executive Amanda Lacaze says the company is around two months away from deciding on a Western Australian site to expand its processing operations.

The Australian dollar gold price has passed $2,000 an ounce for the first time, according to The Perth Mint, with five WA-linked goldminers putting on a combined $1.3 billion of value in today’s trading.

MACA will provide a $12 million working capital facility for an expansion of Blackham Resources' Matilda-Wiluna operation.

Kalium Lakes has awarded Toll Group a key haulage contract to move product from its Beyondie sulphate of potash project south-east of Newman to port facilities at either Fremantle or Kwinana.

Rio Tinto has experienced iron ore mine operational problems, particularly in its Greater Brockman hub in the Pilbara, causing the mining giant to cut its shipments forecast for the second time in around two months.

CSIRO has licensed a nontoxic gold mining technique to a Perth company it says could double production for smaller gold producers.

The tally of new ASX listings from Western Australia remains at just two this year, with Gold Tiger Resources (Australia) canning its IPO after being hit by weak equity markets and gold sector woes and having to issue a supplementary prospectus.

Two microgrid projects worth a combined $123 million have moved forward today as the technology becomes increasingly mainstream, with Gold Fields and GMA Garnet mine sites to have big renewable power and storage components.

An exotic mineral once mined Iluka Resources could bring about a resurgence in demand, as US-China tensions persist.

Mining services firm Macmahon Holdings has acquired underground mining contractor GBF, which currently has around $266 million worth of work in its order book.

Shares in Pilbara Minerals have fallen up to 10 per cent today after June quarter sales from its Pilgangoora project are expected to be lower than originally anticipated, due to construction delays by its offtake partners.

Wesfarmers subsidiary Evol LNG has secured a six-year deal to supply gas for a 14.5-megawatt power station to be operated by Zenith Energy at the Kirkalocka gold mine.

Prospect Resources has raised $5.2 million via a share placement and share options exercise, with the funds raised to be utilised for general working capital.

AusGroup and Southern Cross Electrical Engineering have each announced several contract wins, each worth a combined figure of around $25 million.

Saracen Mineral Holdings has made an all-scrip takeover offer for Fremantle-based gold explorer Bligh Resources, as it seeks to increase the resource for its Thunderbox operations.

Fortescue Metals Group has signed a conditional farm-in and joint venture agreement with Perth-based Tasman Resources for an exploration project in South Australia.

Symbol Mining has gone into administration, less than three months after the Subiaco junior tapped the market for nearly $2.2 million.

Adani has declared it's full steam ahead for its controversial coal mine after the Queensland government issued the final approval the company needs to begin construction.

Market research firm IBISWorld has identified five large gold mines in Western Australia set to shut down by 2025 because of low reserves, less than a month after a prominent gold mining consultancy rejected reports that Australian gold production is set to fall substantially.

Macmahon Holdings has flagged the possibility of a $25 million to $35 million provision against its contract at the Telfer gold project amid ongoing negotiations with the project’s owner Newcrest Mining.

Australian Mines has launched an underwritten share purchase plan, with the funds raised to advance its Sconi project.

Emeco Holdings expects its earnings for this financial year to rise by nearly 40 per cent compared with the prior corresponding period.

Multiplex has commenced construction of the 604-bed Bay Village accommodation facility for Woodside Petroleum's fly-in, fly-out workers in Karratha.

Financing inflows for ASX-listed juniors and small cap explorers recovered in the March quarter, with lithium companies among the biggest beneficiaries, according to the latest research from BDO.