Mining

Diversified investment and development company CFC Group has combined its mining services and infrastructure businesses to form a single subsidiary, in response to the tough mining environment.

Perth-based explorer Bannerman Resources has tapped investors for $4 million to fund an engineering program to help reduce cost estimates at its $US793 million Etango uranium project in Africa.

Saracen Mineral Holdings managing director Raleigh Finlayson has told today’s WA Mining Club lunch that local mid-tier gold miners had squandered a share price premium during the boom years, but had since built up a strong case to trade at above underlying value.

Interest from North American pension funds could help drive continued strength in the gold sector, although tax competitiveness and policy stability will be important, according to industry leaders.

Four Perth-based mining companies have today announced plans to raise capital, with Doray Minerals leading the change with confirmation of a $24.9 million placement.

Copper and gold miner Sandfire Resources has increased its stake in Montana-based copper play Tintina Resources by 4 percentage points to 61 per cent in a $C4.2 million ($4.1 million) deal.

Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting has announced a $US300 million ($A395 million) investment in a UK-based fertiliser business chaired by former Fortescue Metals Group deputy CEO Russell Scrimshaw.

Mineral Resources and Pilbara Minerals have resolved their offtake dispute for the Pilgangoora lithium project, with MinRes to surrender its entitlements in return for a $50 million stake in Pilbara.

Metals producer Wolf Minerals has secured a debt restructure with its creditors and a $32 million loan with a major shareholder, after running into problems at its Drakelands mine in southern England.

Panoramic Resources has finalised plans to spin-out its Gum Creek gold project through the partial divestment and ASX listing of its Horizon Gold subsidiary, with a $15 million initial public offering launched today.

Iron ore producers have maintained their dominance over the BNiQ Search Engine Biggest Exporters list, as LNG producers are slow to start up. Click through to see the annual list of the state's biggest exporting companies.

Former Paladin Energy boss John Borshoff has emerged as chief executive of another local uranium-focused company, Deep Yellow.

Monadelphous Group and Lycopodium will leverage each others’ strengths to target engineering, procurement and construction projects in the minerals processing sector under a new joint venture.

Local businessman Peter Landau will be subjected to more court action after China-controlled Nkwe Platinum filed a $2.5 million law suit in the Supreme Court of Western Australia.

Local gold miner Northern Star Resources has entered into a joint venture agreement to acquire a major stake in Pioneer Resources' Acra gold project near Kalgoorlie in a deal worth up to $3.5 million.

BHP Billiton chairman Jac Nasser has announced he will step down next year after more than 10 years on the board, on the same day the resources giant rejected charges by Brazilian prosecutors filed against the company and its employees in relation the Samarco dam disaster.

Diversified miner South32 has reported a 4 per cent fall in manganese ore production in the first quarter of 2017, but says its on track to achieve its cost guidance for the majority of its production.

Gold Road Resources has released its feasibility study on the Gruyere gold project near Laverton, which has detailed a $52 million increase in capital costs and a longer mine life.

Rio Tinto has slightly trimmed the full-year guidance for iron ore shipments from its Pilbara operations by up to 5 million tonnes, after port and rail maintenance affected shipments in the September quarter.

Fortescue Metals Group has pushed down costs and debt further after reporting higher iron ore shipments in the September quarter.

Rox Resources’ joint venture partner Teck Australia has matched a competing bid for the company’s stake in the Reward zinc-lead project in the Northern Territory for up to $20.6 million.

BHP Billiton has reaffirmed its full-year production guidance across all its segments, other than copper, as it sees early signs of a recovery in the commodities markets.

Blackham Resources has achieved first production at its Matilda gold mine near Wiluna four months after receiving final approvals.

Rio Tinto has hit back at accusations by Nationals WA leader Brendon Grylls that large miners had failed to live up to their contractual obligations in state agreements with the government, after he stepped up his campaign to increase taxes on iron ore production today.

Perth mining hopeful Acacia Coal will buy a 74 per cent interest in a South African metallurgical coal project from a subsidiary of Rio Tinto and undertake a $2 million capital raising, it announced today.

Saracen Mineral Holdings has attracted AngloGold Ashanti for a farm-in agreement for its Carosue Dam North gold project near Kalgoorlie, valued at $25 million.

A local gold company founded by prominent prospector Denis O'Meara hopes to begin trading on the ASX by the end of next month after completing a $10 million initial public offering.

The Environmental Protection Authority has recommended approval of BC Iron’s extension plans at its Iron Valley mine near Newman.

Sybrandt Van Dyk has announced his resignation as chief executive of Macmahon Holdings, with general manager of surface mining Michael Finnegan to succeed him as head of the local contractor.

Pilbara Minerals has announced the purchase of several long-lead items for its Pilgangoora lithium project to remain on track with its planned commissioning date next year.

The head contractor on the Roy Hill project has won two out of five determinations in the latest instalment in its legal dispute with sub-contractor Duro Felguera today, but Samsung C&T was still told to pay Duro $12 million out of more than $60 million that had been sought.

Shares in junior miner Excelsior Gold were pummelled today after the company's new board revealed the full extent of operational issues at its flagship Kalgoorlie North mine.