Mining

Echo Resources has released a bankable feasibility study for its Yandal gold project in Western Australia, with the company forecasting a $39.3 million capital expenditure for the mine.

Four local mining companies have announced new chief executives as the industry shifts its focus to the annual Diggers & Dealers conference in Kalgoorlie, which kicked off today.

Fortescue Metals Group has reduced its stake in Atlas Iron but crucially still holds more than 10 per cent, meaning Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting will not be able to acquire full ownership of the takeover target.

UPDATED: Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting announced late Friday it has increased its stake in takeover target Atlas Iron to 56 per cent, giving it effective control, and extended its $390 million offer for two weeks.

Pilbara Minerals has released a definitive feasibility study for the planned stage-two expansion at its Pilgangoora lithium-tantalum project, with chief executive Ken Brinsden confident the $231 million upgrade will go ahead.

Regis Resources has approved a $29.4 million expansion at its Duketon gold project, which is expected to add 570,000 ounces over a five-year mine life.

Osborne Park-based Georgiou Group has been awarded an $18.7 million contract to construct a privately-funded traffic bridge carrying Great Northern Highway over the Roy Hill rail line, located approximately 25 kilometres south-west of Port Hedland.

Copper-focused MOD Resources has announced it is seeking a dual listing on the London Stock Exchange to increase its international profile and improve access to capital in the UK.

Australia’s resources industry has posted record exports of $220 billion for the 2018 financial year, as the country’s trade surplus rose to $1.8 billion, according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Three Western Australian gold miners have outlined their growth plans, with Saracen Mineral Holdings announcing a 20 per cent increase in reserves, Northern Star Resources unveiling a $60 million exploration budget, and Red 5 targeting annual production of more than 100,000 ounces.

The environmental watchdog has recommended approval to TSX-listed LeadFX to restart the Paroo Station lead mine near Wiluna, which was placed on care and maintenance in 2015.

Paladin Energy has announced plans to move to full ownership of fellow Perth-based uranium company Summit Resources, in a scrip deal worth around $7.8 million.

Clive Palmer's flagship company, Mineralogy, has lost a court bid to stall paying millions owed to a Singapore-based exploration firm.

MACA has extended a mining services contract with gold producer Regis Resources at its Duketon South operations near Laverton for the next five years.

Perth-based Metals X has raised $50 million via an institutional placement, with the proceeds set to be spent at the company’s Nifty copper project in the Pilbara.

Cardinal Resources has secured a $US25 million ($33.7 million) credit facility with Canada-based asset manager Sprott Private Resource Lending, as the junior explorer progresses a feasibility study at its Namdini gold project in Ghana.

Ventnor Resources has exercised an option agreement to acquire the Muchea silica sand project north of Perth, while also announcing a $2.4 million capital raising.

Nickel-focused Western Areas has signed a farm-in deal with Iluka Resources for a series of tenements in South Australia worth up to $5.8 million over the next seven years.

Junior explorers Magnetic Resources, Golden Rim Resources and Real Energy will tap investors in separate capital raisings worth a combined $12.3 million.

Gold Road Resources has flagged further cost increases at its half-owned Gruyere gold project, while also extending an earthworks contract with MACA at the site.

Constellation Resources, a spin-out of Apollo Minerals’ Fraser Range assets, has begun trading positively on the ASX today, after raising $7 million via an initial public offering.

Mineral Resources and Brockman Mining have announced plans to jointly develop a major iron ore mine that will underpin construction of a new rail line and port facilities at Port Hedland.

Junior explorer PolarX has boosted its coffers with a $3.9 million capital raising, with the proceeds to fund the company’s exploration program at its Alaska Range project.

Northern Minerals has today officially opened its Browns Range heavy rare earths project in the Kimberley, the first of its kind outside of China.

Henderson-based contractor EC&M has been awarded a series of contracts in Western Australia and the eastern states with a combined value of about $60 million.

BHP shareholders are set for a windfall after the global miner agreed to sell its onshore US oil and gas assets for $US10.8 billion ($A14.6 billion).

Despite his non-linear career pathway, Brendan Gore’s resources sector roles have provided invaluable experience for his leadership at Peet.

Investors have committed $5 million towards the planned IPO of Norwest Gold, a gold and base metal spin-off from Australian Mines.

Two Perth companies have announced board moves with political connections, with Austal director Jim McDowell leaving to take a powerful job with the South Australian government and IT company Cirrus Networks appointing Paul Everingham as a non-executive director.

Resource Development Group has made its first major purchase since the sale of three subsidiaries in 2015, buying a majority stake in mining services business Mineral Solutions Australia for $2.8 million.

Newcrest Mining's fourth-quarter gold output has risen 15 per cent as a timely uptick in production at its flagship Cadia mine enabled it to meet production targets.

Fortescue Metals Group has reported record quarterly iron ore shipments.