Mining

Perth stockbroking firm DJ Carmichael has acted as lead manager to a $4.4 million capital raising by oil and gas explorer Rampart Energy.

Perth-based concrete construction group Whittens has been awarded a $15.5 million contract for civil concrete construction works at the Boggabri coal handling and processing plant in New South Wales.

Australia should consider a Norwegian-style sovereign wealth fund to share around the benefits of the mining boom, a union report argues.

A Hong-Kong based company locked in a bitter legal dispute with mining boss turned federal MP Clive Palmer says the case will be closely watched by other Chinese investors.

Mining giant Rio Tinto is reviewing the status of its alumina refinery at Gove in the Northern Territory, putting the future of up to 1500 workers at risk.

Iron Ore Holdings had mixed news for shareholders yesterday, with lower costs likely to bolster its major project but heritage issues causing delays at a second project involving Mineral Resources.

Gold futures have fallen as investors have their first chance to respond to the historic deal on limiting nuclear proliferation reached between Iran and six world powers.

Seven Group Holdings has appointed Woodside executive Jarvas Croome as the new chief executive of its WesTrac heavy equipment business.

Weaker demand from mining companies has caused a 28 per cent fall in first half profit for analytical testing services group ALS.

Rail freight company Aurizon and Gina Rinehart's part-owned Queensland coal company have agreed on a rail solution to develop the Galilee Basin as part of a $6 billion plan.

Mining billionaire Gina Rinehart has been awarded an honorary doctorate from Queensland's Bond University in recognition of her contribution to the Australian economy.

BHP Billiton has announced it will replace two shiploaders at its Nelson Point port operations in Port Hedland at a cost of more than $300 million, on the same day it was forced to cancel the official opening of its Jimblebar iron ore mine.

Bis Industries has acquired Queensland-based innovative haulage company Powertrans for $30 million as it prepares to launch a long-awaited initial public offering.

Calibre Group has promoted acting chief operating officer Peter Reichler to the position of managing director, on a total fixed remuneration package worth $500,000 less than that of his predecessor

Gold prices have locked in the largest weekly drop since September as simmering worries over the likely end of US stimulus efforts sent futures down 3.4 per cent.

Embattled miner Mirabela Nickel has formally acknowledged “significant uncertainty” about whether it will continue as a going concern, after Canadian regulators issued a ‘cease trade’ order.

Empire Oil & Gas has conceded defeat in its bid to stave off efforts by major shareholder ERM Power to overthrow its board, saying it now believes ERM's proposal is the best way forward for the company.

Fortescue Metals Group chairman Andrew Forrest says there is strong demand to employ indigenous Australians but "soft racism" tied to Australian larrikinism needs to go

Junior oil and gas company Pura Vida Energy has named Jeff Dowling as its new chairman and Ric Malcolm as a non-executive director, with current chairman Bevan Tarratt to resign from the board.

Gold futures have extended their early losses as minutes from the Federal Reserve's most recent policy meeting show some officials still expect a wind-down of the central bank's bond buying in coming months.

Perth engineering firm Clough has ceased trading on the ASX after securing the green light from shareholders and the Federal Court to proceed with a $462 million takeover by South African group Murray & Roberts.

Perth-based junior exploration firm Walkabout Resources says a deal signed last month with coal technology group Coalswana could underpin its four-pronged approach to developing its Takatowane coal

Perth-based Paladin Energy is persisting with negotiations on the sale of a minority stake in its Langer Heinrich uranium mine in Namibia, and has assured shareholders it will give them an update by the end of the month.

Ausdrill managing director Ron Sayers says he no longer plans to step down from the role next year, despite the prospect he could face a retrial on tax fraud charges.

Long-time chairman Terry Streeter has announced he is stepping down from the board of nickel miner Western Areas.

BHP Billiton’s annual meeting in Perth today resembled a debate on climate change, with chairman Jac Nasser expressing frustration that the company’s achievements in that field were not being recognised.

Gold futures have extended their early losses as minutes from the Federal Reserve's most recent policy meeting show some officials still expect a wind-down of the central bank's bond buying in coming months.

Mineral Resources is expecting to defy the mining services downturn, telling shareholders today that it anticipates strong growth in net profit in the current financial year.

Gindalbie Metals says it will continue to purchase iron ore from third parties to make up for a shortfall of concentrator production at its Karara mine, as the company warned shareholders it will need additional capital investment before it can reach capacity at its main magnetite project.

Northern Star Resources has weathered a fluctuating gold market with low costs and strong profits, and is looking forward to new acquisition opportunities, chairman Chris Rowe announced at its annual general meeting today.

RCR Tomlinson says it's confident its newly acquired infrastructure business will provide significant growth in the year ahead as the company looks to diversify its revenue streams.

Perth-based miner Viking Ashanti will merge with Mongolia-focused coal developer Auminco Mines under a share exchange transaction, with a capital raising of $4.5 million planned for the consolidated company in early 2014.