Andrew Hobbs

BHP Billiton Ltd's Ravensthorpe nickel project budget has blown out to $2.8 billion, more than double the $1.35 billion approved in March 2004, when the green light was given. Also see our story on cost rises in the world's laterite nickel projects.

West Perth-based satellite communications company Comdek Ltd has closed its recapitalisation fund raising fully subscribed, and was up 20 per cent in early trade after re-commencing official quotation this morning.

Perth-based oil and gas exploration company Alto Energy International Ltd aims to raise $2 million through a share issue to bolster cash reserves ahead of a survey and drilling program in its US assets.

The state government has outlined a plan to stimulate broadband infrastructure spending in Western Australia by packaging up its agencies' combined $100 million-a-year telecommunications budget and offering it at tender for 10 years.

Kambalda-based nickel miner Mincor Resources NL will earn a 70 per cent interest in ten exploration licences held by West Perth-based Image Resources NL for a cost of $1.5 million, the company has announced.

South Perth-based bamboo flooring products company Style Ltd has $1.3 million through a placement to investors, raising money to improve the company's intellectual property protection and for working capital.

Embattled animal pharmaceutical products manufacturer Chemeq Ltd has gone into a trading halt ahead of tomorrow's Supreme Court hearing into the company's application for an injunction against US bonds trader Stark Trading.

West Perth-based oil and gas exploration company GulfX Ltd will raise $1.5 million through a share and options issue to fund the exploration expenses of its Gulf of Mexico tenements.

Nedlands-based pharmaceutical company PharmAust Ltd will take a 39.5 per cent stake in NASDAQ-listed US-based Commonwealth Biotechnologies Inc in exchange for its its discovery chemistry subsidiary Mimotopes Pty Ltd.

North Adelaide's Global Wine Ventures Ltd, the shell company formerly behind the iconic Western Australian wine brand Xanadu Wines Ltd, has signed an agreement with Joval Pty Ltd, facilitating a corporate restructure and recapitalisation of the company.

The Cole Inquiry has found that commonwealth agencies had no involvement or knowledge of the actions of AWB in the Oil-for-Food scandal.

Subiaco-based mineral explorer Gondwana Resources Ltd has announced plans to raise around $926,000 through an entitlements offer to fund new exploration and evaluation programs.

West Perth-based gold and uranium explorer Convergent Minerals Ltd will raise a maximum of $4 million through its initial public offer for exploration of its Queensland Steam Engine gold project.

Mt Gibson Iron Ltd appears to have won its hostile bid for control of fellow iron ore junior Aztec Resources Ltd after announcing today it had lifted its stake to more than 50 per cent.

Kewdale-based Allied Gold Ltd has confirmed its Simberi Oxide Gold project remains on schedule, despite the withdrawl yesterday of a placement offer by Chinese gold giant Zijin Mining Group Co Ltd worth at least $18 million.

A few days after acquiring 19.9 per cent of Mount Gibson Iron Ltd, Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov has made a move to acquire 6.9 per cent of takeover target Aztec Resources Ltd, at a cost of $23.3 million.

Eight months after breaking the hearts of plane-spotters across Perth, Victorian charter carrier Ozjet Airlines will make its move into the WA market with a Perth-Derby service to commence in February next year.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd subsidiary ATS Inc has made good on a promise not to extend its $1.16 billion takeover bid for US-based oil producer Energy Partners Ltd, after failing to reach the minimum acquisition level of 50 per cent.

The share prices of Kagara Zinc Ltd and Canadian LionOre Mining International Ltd fell today after the giant sold a non-strategic greenfield nickel project to the West Perth company for $25 million.

Leederville-based iron ore company Cape Lambert Iron Ore Ltd has moved to hose down speculation of an agreement with Indian steel giant Essar Group, saying the company remained in negotiations with other parties.

Subiaco-based Arafura Pearls Holdings Ltd aims to raise $4 million through its initial public offer to fund the purchase of a greater oyster cultivation licence quota and fleet upgrade.

Mount Gibson Iron Ltd and its subsidiary Mount Gibson Mining Ltd will receive $40 million in proceeds from the sale of their combined 73 per cent interest in Asia Iron Holdings Ltd immediately, following its release from escrow.

Henderson-based ship-builder Austal Ltd has secured a $140 million contract with an overseas group to build multiple aluminium passenger ferries, with the option of further purchases.

West Perth-based oil and gas explorer GulfX Ltd closed its share and options offer just five days after launching a prospectus to raise $600,000 to fund exploration expenses of the company's Gulf of Mexico oil assets.

West Perth-based uranium hopeful Impact Minerals Ltd will look to list on the Australian Stock Exchange as soon as possible after closing its $5 million initial public offer early.

West Perth-based gold explorer Westonia Mines Ltd has announced plans raise $6.1 million through a renounceable rights issue to shareholders, raising money for the company's Westonia Gold project.

West Perth-based uranium mining company U3O8 Ltd has launched a non-renounceable entitlements issue to investors, aiming to raise over $300,000 for exploration and development costs.

The dispute between embattled animal pharmaceutical products manufacturer Chemeq Ltd and US bonds trader Stark Trading will be adjourned to November 29 to permit a Supreme Court hearing.

Former Verve Energy chief executive John Lillywhite has been appointed chief executive of embattled biofuels player Australian Renewable Fuels Ltd.

Premier Alan Carpenter and Opposition Leader Paul Omodei have condemned today's High Court decision to uphold the federal government's ability to overturn state industrial relations regimes.

WA Business News' Daily Business Alerts celebrates its first birthday today, with more than 10,000 subscribers to share the moment.

Perth-based property funds and aset management group Peet Ltd will raise $80 million through an institutional placement to develop new profit streams and make acquisitions.