Mining

The Chamber of Minerals & Energy of Western Australia has welcomed a major environmental move by the state government today that will slash approval times for BHP's Pilbara iron ore developments by up to half.

The company behind a magnesium project proposed for the state’s north is seeking government support

Shares in VRX Silica have surged to 16 cents today, a rise of 33 per cent, after it entered into a strategic alliance with China Southern Glass related to its Muchea silica sand project.

WA-based GR Engineering Services and Lycopodium have been selected for definitive feasibility studies at a uranium project and lithium project, respectively.

Paul Dalgliesh has been appointed as the chief executive of Tempo Australia, and William Howard will also join the struggling contractor as its chief financial officer.

Piedmont Lithium has raised $21 million via a share placement to complete the definitive feasibility study for its namesake project, while Marindi Metals has tapped investors for $2.5 million, and Koppar Resources for $1.1 million.

Shares in Dacian Gold have rallied to recover some ground from a significant fall last month, as the company released an update to its Mt Morgans mine plan, which noted significant potential to increase its annual production rate.

Altura Mining and Pilbara Minerals have struck offtake agreements with Chinese firms for lithium concentrate from their respective Pilgangoora projects.

Legend Mining has raised $9.8 million via a share subscription agreement with Independence Group, and signed joint venture agreements with IGO and Mark Creasy’s Creasy Group at Fraser Range.

Intermin Resources has reached an agreement to sell its Menzies and Goongarrie gold projects for a cash-and-scrip consideration of $8 million.

Malaga-based Jaylon Environmental Systems has secured a $15 million contract to supply and install evaporation pond liners for Kalium Lakes’ Beyondie sulphate of potash project.

Pantoro has announced it missed production targets for the June quarter, just a month after fellow local gold producers Dacian Gold and Gascoyne Resources announced adverse news to investors.

NTM Gold is set to raise up to $3.9 million, while Encounter Resources has raised $1.4 million, as the two juniors seek to advance their exploration projects.

The Queensland government, mining industry and unions will hold urgent crisis talks after six deaths in the state's resources sector this year.

Fortescue Metals Group says it expects to award over $500 million of Eliwana project contracts by the end of year, as construction officially started on the $1.8 billion project today.

Construction costs for many lithium refining projects have been revised up in the past year as proponents rethink the scale and scope of their developments, with Tianqi Lithium’s Kwinana project the latest to run higher than forecast.

International consulting group ERM has acquired West Perth-based mining consultancy CSA Global for an undisclosed amount.

West Perth-based Chalice Gold Mines has entered into a binding share purchase and royalty agreement to sell its gold assets in Quebec, Canada.

Shareholders have welcomed Capricorn Metals' announcement it is seeking to raise up to $18.3 million via a share placement and top-up issue, and that Mark Clark and Mark Okeby, both formerly of Regis Resources, have joined the board.

Kalium Lakes is a step closer to a final investment decision on its Beyondie sulphate of potash project, after it received a credit-approved offer from German KfW IPEX-Bank for around $102 million.

Nickel miner Panoramic Resources has entered into a binding agreement to sell its Thunder Bay North platinum group metals project in Canada for $C9 million ($9.8 million).

US company Civeo has acquired Kewdale-based Action Industrial Catering, which counts Fortescue Metals Group, Pilbara Minerals and Western Areas among its major clients.

Macmahon Holdings has responded swiftly to last week’s unexpected retirement of two directors, including chairman Jim Walker, by reappointing Vyril Vella to its board.

Gruyere 50/50 joint venture partners Gold Fields and Gold Road Resources have poured first gold at the $621 million project located 200 kilometres east of Laverton.

Triton Minerals has secured a $19.5 million investment from China-based company Jinan Hi-tech, which it said would be used to start early construction works at its Ancuabe graphite project in Mozambique.

The Western Australian government has brokered a $250 million settlement with BHP over a royalties dispute.

Kalium Lakes has awarded Shell Energy the gas supply contract, and APA Group the gas transport contract, for its Beyondie sulphate of potash project.

Eastern Goldfields has been officially reborn, after Ora Banda Mining listed on the ASX today with $15 million cash and no debt.

TNG has signed a binding contract with rail operator Genesee & Wyoming Australia to haul product from the Mount Peake vanadium-titanium-iron mine more than 1100 kilometres to a processing facility in Darwin, Northern Territory.

Macmahon Holdings non-executive director Kim Horne and non-executive chairman Jim Walker have both resigned from the board.

Flinders Mines is launching legal action in the Supreme Court of Western Australia against the owner of stock forum HotCopper Holdings, seeking details of users alleged to have made defamatory statements in relation to the board and company.

The Environmental Protection Authority has recommended conditional environmental approval for Hastings Technology Metals’ $427 million Yangibana rare earths project in the Upper Gascoyne.