Mining

Dacian Gold has announced a capital raising worth up to $45 million to fund exploration at its Mt Morgans operation near Laverton.

Pilbara Ports Authority has reported a record annual throughput for the 2018 financial year, with nearly 700 million tonnes of cargo passing over its docks, on the back of an uptick in activity at Port Hedland.

Newly listed Babylon Pump & Power has secured a $1.1 million power supply contract at BHP Billiton’s Mining Area C project in the Pilbara.

Sandfire Resources has entered into a strategic relationship with Victoria-based White Rock Minerals, which includes a $2.5 million equity investment and an option to earn-in to the junior explorer’s Red Mountain zinc project in Alaska.

Diversified contractor Tempo Australia has announced it will acquire NSW-based telco services company Comsite Services in a deal worth up to $4 million.

Regis Resources, Independence Group and Ramelius Resources have all provided production updates for their respective mining operations, while Millennium Minerals says it is on track to ramp-up its gold output by the end of 2018.

UK-based Black Dragon Gold has announced plans for a $6 million initial public offering and listing on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Local engineering company Primero Group made a steady debut on the ASX today after completing a $25 million initial public offering.

The mining community is mourning the loss of Diggers & Dealers director John Langford, who died suddenly last week.

The environmental watchdog has today recommended approval of BHP Billiton’s long-term development plans in the Pilbara, including construction of 13 new iron ore mines and expansion of four existing mines.

Auris Minerals has announced the resignation of chief executive Wade Evans, months after chairman Bronwyn Barnes was voted off the company’s board.

AngloGold Ashanti and Dacian Gold have reported positive updates on their Western Australian operations.

Potash explorer Agrimin has boosted its coffers with a $10 million capital raising to progress the definitive feasibility study being undertaken at its Mackay project in Western Australia.

Mineral sands miner MZI Resources has announced the completion of upgrades at its Keysbrook operation, while also outlining delays in the project and attempts to seek waivers from some conditions of an $80 million debt funding package.

Roy Hill Holdings has introduced a staff profit scheme after achieving its 55mtpa production target and has confirmed its interest in expanding to 60mtpa.

Three local companies have secured work across the state, with Kerman Contracting, Adco Constructions and WestStar Industrial all announcing recent contract wins.

Sydney-based Vango Mining has announced a $5.1 million capital raising to fund exploration at its Plutonic Dome gold project in Western Australia's Mid West.

ASX-listed Imdex, software company Manufacturing Intelligence and Emapper are among five local companies in the mining technology sector that will share in $7.1 million of federal government funding announced today in Perth.

Swick Mining Services has announced the first commercial agreement for use of its Orexplore mineral scanning technology, which has been developed over the past seven years.

Independence Group has agreed to pay $21 million in cash and shares to prospector Mark Creasy to acquire a 70 per cent stake in a series of tenements in the Fraser Range near its Nova nickel mine.

Rift Valley Resources has tapped investors for $5.5 million as the company continues exploration work at its Longonjo rare earths project in Angola.

Perth-based MOD Resources has announced a significant upgrade to the mineral resource at its T3 copper project in Botswana.

The Takeovers Panel has dismissed an application from Fortescue Metals Group questioning the veracity of Hancock Prospecting’s $390 million bid for Atlas Iron.

Rio Tinto has commenced a $50 million replacement of the iron ore stackers at its Paraburdoo mine, with local engineers and contractors set to benefit from the project.

A three-year battle over an exploration licence in the northern Goldfields has resulted in a win for prospector Andrew Paterson, who appealed against a ruling by the former mines and petroleum minister in favour of listed company Connected IO.

Two local mining companies have been forced to provide clarifications to the ASX this morning, with Flinders Mines responding to a presentation given by BBI Group, while lithium-focused AVZ Minerals told investors to ignore a Twitter post from one of its strategic advisers.

Swick Mining Services has announced two contract extensions worth about $80 million, including a renewal at Northern Star Resources’ Jundee gold mine near Wiluna.

The board of Atlas Iron has unanimously recommended a revised bidder’s statement from Hancock Prospecting, while also announcing the suspension of production at its Mt Dove iron ore mine due to challenging market conditions.

Mineral sands-aspirant Strandline Resources has appointed GR Engineering Services to lead a definitive feasibility study at its Coburn project, while Arafura Resources has signed on Mining Plus and a number of other consultants for a study at the Nolan project.

Tanami Gold says it will exercise a put option forcing Northern Star Resources to buy a 15 per cent stake in the junior miner’s Central Tanami project for $20 million, after the Bill Beament-led company said it had not reached commercial production at the joint venture mine.

The future of Atlas Iron has been further muddied today after the takeover target said the state government had indicated to media it could compromise on its policy regarding development rights at Port Hedland if either Fortescue Metals Group or Hancock Prospecting takes control of the junior miner.

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