Mining

Employment in WA's resources sector hit a record level in 2017, while revenue lifted 16 per cent to $108 billion, according to the latest data from the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.

Mineral sands miner MZI Resources has announced a new $US61 million ($80 million) debt funding package with major shareholder Resource Capital Fund to continue development at its Keysbrook operation near Serpentine and facilitate debt restructuring.

West Perth-based Metalicity has announced plans to spin-out its Admiral Bay zinc project on the TSX Venture Exchange as Kimberley Mining, following strong interest from Canadian investment banks and fund managers.

Watpac is considering selling its Perth-based mining division after the company announced it had recently missed out on two major contracts.

Perth-based Global Construction Services has been awarded a new three-year scaffolding contract at CITIC Pacific Mining’s Sino Iron project south-west of Karratha.

Rio Tinto has finalised its exit from Australian coal with the $2.25 billion sale of its 80 per cent stake in Queensland's Kestrel underground mine.

Australian Aboriginal Mining Corporation chairman Daniel Tucker is confident the company will become the first Aboriginal-owned and operated iron ore miner this year, after signing a mine gate sales deal with Fortescue Metals Group.

Former Bunnings managing director John Gillam has been named as the incoming chairman of building products company CSR while Macmahon Holdings has bolstered its board by recruiting former Alcoa executive Kim Horne.

Marindi Metals has signed a memorandum of understanding entitling a government-owned Japanese group to earn a 70 per cent stake in the company’s Caranbirini zinc project in the Northern Territory.

CFC Group subsidiary Cape has won three new jobs worth a combined $20 million, focused on gold mining, lithium and electricity infrastructure.

Fortescue Metals Group has cut the amount it expects to receive for its iron ore shipments this year, saying slow Chinese construction and the recent Trump-inspired trade war fears are weighing on forecasts.

Boss Resources has raised $8 million through a share placement and will use the proceeds to advance a definitive feasibility study at the company’s Honeymoon uranium project in South Australia.

Aspiring copper miner Altona Mining is one step closer to a $93 million merger with Canada-based Copper Mountain Mining after Altona shareholders approved the scheme of arrangement today.

Peru-focused Titan Minerals has announced plans to acquire West Perth-based Andina Resources, which owns a number of assets in close proximity to Titan, in a scrip deal worth approximately $19 million.

Junior miner Orinoco Gold has announced a $12.1 million capital raising to target a ramp-up in production at its Cascavel operation in Brazil.

Auris Minerals chairman Bronwyn Barnes has disclosed that some of the people seeking to oust her had been negotiating a farm-in proposal last year without the knowledge of the company’s board.

Perth-based mining company South32 has implemented new leave provisions that exceed those of most other employers, offering six months’ parental leave on full pay and up to 10 days of paid domestic violence leave.

Subiaco-based Carbine Resources has pulled the pin on its planned redevelopment of the Mount Morgan copper-gold project in Queensland, in which it has already invested $12 million, while managing director Tony James and two directors have tendered their resignation.

Iron ore prices will fall more than 10 per cent to be about $US60 per tonne next year, partly driven by increased scrap metal availability, according to Citigroup Asia commodities strategist Tracy Liao.

Cost pressures are starting to return to the mining sector, according to BHP Billiton WA Iron Ore boss Edgar Basto, as the company continues preliminary work with potential contractors ahead of a decision on the South Flank development in the next few months.

Company director Robert (Bob) Kennedy, who was a director or chairman of four ASX-listed companies, has passed away after a short illness.

A local business offering the potential to reduce maintenance downtime in the mining and related industries has secured a national distributor for its fast-release nut design.

Graphite explorer Graphex Mining has raised $2.5 million to fund an updated feasibility study and complete finance and offtake arrangements at its Chilalo project in Tanzania.

Indonesian group Eastern Field has taken control of Finders Resources, five months after announcing its takeover deal, which values the copper miner at about $177 million.

A $100 million tax incentive scheme to encourage resources exploration and arrest the decline in Western Australia's mining sector passed the Senate today.

West Perth-based Beadell Resources has announced plans to merge with a Canadian mining exploration firm to create a dual-listed company on the ASX and the TSX venture exchange.

South African construction group Raubex has taken a 70 per cent stake in local engineering contractor Westforce Construction for $6.5 million.

Perth-based Mincor Resources has approved the development of its Widgiemooltha gold project, located in the Goldfields, with mining set to commence next month.

TNG has signed an agreement with a jointure venture between Adelaide-based contractor McMahon Services and Clough to provide engineering and construction services at its Mount Peake vanadium project.

Three local junior explorers have raised more than $21 million, with Draig Resources and Triton Minerals boosting their coffers while the Charlie Bass-led Eagle Mountain Mining has commenced trading on the ASX after raising $8 million via an initial public offering.

Andrew Forrest has lost his latest court fight against a sand miner operating on his cattle station in WA's Pilbara region.

Gold miner St Barbara has taken a 10 per cent stake in local explorer ABM Resources as part of its recently announced $6 million capital raising.