Mining

Gold miner Northern Star Resources is taking the opportunity of a general downturn in mining to reduce its costs, while managing director Bill Beament expects there will be great opportunities for small and mid cap companies in the next few years.

A definitive feasibility study on potash explorer Danakali’s Colluli project in Africa has found a 30 per cent reduction in development costs to $US298 million ($A415 million).

Mincor Resources founder and managing director David Moore has announced plans to step down from his role from early next year, but will remain with the company as deputy chairman.

A local geologist and company director is launching a website for trading excess mining equipment, joining similar operations aiming to establish a secondary market for the industry.

Caravan and accommodation manufacturer Fleetwood Corporation has foreshadowed a first-half loss of $5 million, while also announcing that its chairman and one of its long-serving directors intend to leave the board.

Indigenous contracting in the Pilbara is getting more competitive, more complicated and arguably more divisive, as players chase a shrinking pool of work.

Mineral sands explorer Sheffield Resources has raised $5 million for its Thunderbird project, and plans to bring in an additional $2 million via a share purchase plan.

Sodexo has been shortlisted with two other companies to manage all of Rio Tinto’s camps and other facilities in the Pilbara, in the same week it has been awarded a contract to run Shell’s Prelude Floating LNG facility.

Perth-based potash explorer Elemental Minerals has received a proposal from a private equity group for a $US40 million ($A55 million) investment in the business to advance its African assets.

Rod Leonard has stepped down from his position as managing director of engineerig company Lycopodium, with existing board member Peter De Leo stepping into the role.

Evolution Mining says it's close to completing its protracted acquisition of smaller rival Phoenix Gold.

Silver Lake Resources is selling off its non-core assets in the Murchison region, with Metals X acquiring its Comet gold project and Musgrave Minerals agreeing to buy a large portion of its Cue project.

Lithium hopeful Pilbara Minerals has raised $12 million in an oversubscribed placement to fund ongoing work at its flagship Pilgangoora project east of Port Hedland.

Perth-based Indigenous Construction Resource Group is poised to become a bigger player in the mining services sector after its chairman, Clinton Wolf, lured NRW Holdings founder and former managing director Jeff McGlinn out of retirement.

BC Iron says it's doing okay in the face of falling iron ore prices and might even diversify into gold or other metals in the future.

Mining services contractor Sedgman has revealed that its major shareholder, CIMIC Group, is seeking greater influence over its operations, following its shock vote against the re-election of three independent directors, raising more questions about Cimic’s plans for Perth contractor Macmahon Holdings.

Former corporate lawyer Ian Cochrane has joined the board of Ausdrill as deputy chairman, adding to a suite of board positions on the private companies of some of Perth’s wealthiest families.

NRW Holdings chairman Ian Burston has announced plans to step down, while also announcing a remuneration review that will include chief executive Julian Pemberton, whose annual pay is substantially higher than his peers.

A Perth jeweller has used the launch of her first men’s collection to call on the mining industry to open its production lines to Western Australia’s creative community.

The recently renamed Avenira is finally realising its potential to become a supplier of phosphate, ticking off a decision to mine at its project in West Africa.

Indigenous contractor Yurra has formed a joint venture with BGC Contracting to provide services to Rio Tinto’s rail work in Cape Lambert and Dampier, with the value of the deal undisclosed.

Global miner BHP Billiton has committed to its progressive dividend as it counts the cost of the Brazilian mine disaster, which left 11 people dead.

Northern Iron has entered into voluntary administration after its subsidiary, which operates the Sydvaranger iron project in Norway, filed for bankruptcy.

South 32 chief executive Graham Kerr said the company expected to achieve its targeted operations savings this year, while it announced it would keep South African production at its jointly owned Samancor venture in suspension pending a strategic review.

Arafura Resources has reduced the cost of developing its Nolans rare earths project in the Northern Territory by a further $299 million, with the value of the project now standing at about $1.19 billion.

Explosives maker Orica has flagged improving earnings for this financial year after posting a $1.27 billion full-year loss due to a huge asset writedown.

Wesfarmers will make about 300 national roles redundant, 45 of which are in Western Australia, as part of a restructuring of its industrial and safety division.

BHP Billiton is assessing dams at all its facilities around the world following the deadly dam disaster in Brazil.

Veteran mining executive Tim Netscher will be hoping his golden run continues when he takes the reins as chairman of uranium play Toro Energy this week.

Mining services company Boart Longyear's quarterly losses have widened on weaker volumes and the lower Australian dollar.

The environmental watchdog has given its nod of approval for the proposed expansion of a Hope Downs joint venture-owned iron ore mine near Newman.

A contractor working at Northern Star Resources’ Paulsens gold mine has died this morning after becoming ‘seriously unwell’.