Andrew Hobbs

Both Welshpool-based engineering company RCR Tomlinson Ltd and West Perth-based mineral explorer Precious Metals Australia Ltd have gone into trading halts to be lifted on July 31, pending the release of announcements.

WA pharmaceutical company PharmAust Ltd will sell discovery chemistry subsidiary Mimotopes Pty Ltd to US-based Commonwealth Biotechnologies Inc for a scrip consideration of between $8.6 and $10.6 m

Balcatta-based software developer ST Synergy Ltd has acquired the right to invest a further $2.5 million in neighbouring microphotonics developer PanoramaLabs Pty Ltd, boosting its shareholding to 39.25 per cent.

Perth-based gold and base metals miner and explorer Alkane Exploration Ltd has appointed Melbourne businessman Ian Gandel to its board as a non-executive director, following a 24.9 million share placement with one of his companies, Abbotsleigh Ltd.

Subiaco-headquartered property management firm Wentworth Mutual announced today the acquisition of three Western Australian property managers, contributing to the company's aim of managing over 6,000 WA properties by December.

Agincourt Resources Ltd has announced a $100 million placement to acquire Newmont Mining Corporation's Sumatra-based Martabe gold and silver project, in a deal that will also make the US giant the biggest shareholder in the West Perth company.

WA mining minnow Cazaly Resources Ltd has announced the next stage in its battle to secure rights over the Shovelanna deposit in the state's Pilbara region, confirming today that it has applied for a judicial review of the case.

Just a few weeks after a significant board re-structure, West Perth based Vulcan Resources Ltd has announced its intention to list on London's Alternative Investment Market, with the intention of forging closer and more formal links with European Capital

It slices, but UK based electrophysiology company Scientifica Ltd's automated SliceMaster system is not dicey, according to neurology research company NeuroSolutions Ltd, which will trial and market the device over six months.

Shares in Perth-based gold explorers Mawson West Ltd have gone into a trading halt, pending the release of an announcement.

Gold explorer Westonia Mines Ltd will pursue operating and capital cost-cutting initiatives as it commences a $65 million redevelopment of its Westonia project, following positive results from a feasibility study approved by directors yesterday.

Shares in South African gold mining company DRDGold Ltd will be suspended from trade on the Australian and Port Moresby stock exchanges tomorrow, ahead of the company's delisting from those markets.

Perth-based ISP iiNet Ltd today announced plans to sell its New Zealand business ihug Ltd, confirming two month's speculation regarding the subsidiary which could raise at least $30 million.

Subiaco-based olive oil marketing company Piquant Blue Ltd has raised $4.2 million before costs through a placement of shares to new and existing shareholders to fund inventory and debtors for the company's branch out to American supermarkets.

Croesus Mining NL subsidiary Central Norseman Gold Corporation Ltd will be sold separately or restructured, if everything goes according to the plan of company administrators Pitcher Partners.

The federal government will provide 50 per cent of the shared $55 million initial costs of the proposed Perth-Bunbury Highway ahead of construction later this year, marking another chapter of a long drawn-out debate between the state and the commonwealth.

Australia’s biggest towel company and second last manufacturer, Canning Vale Weaving Mills Ltd, will make about 140 staff redundant when it closes its manufacturing facilities.

Fremantle-based RuralAus Investments Ltd, formerly Australian Growth Ltd, has exorcised more of its demons with the buyback today of $185,000 worth of shares held by the creditor's trust, set up when the company went into administration in 2003.

Northbridge-based exploration company Kalgoorlie-Boulder Resources Ltd will push ahead with the sale of a 75 per cent stake in its Wilson oil prospect to Perth-based Louisiana Petroleum Ltd.

Aspen Group has updated the offer document for stapled securities in its Aspen Parks Property Fund following a 0.76 cent tweak in the applications price from $1.2349 to $1.2425.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd chief executive and managing director Don Voelte will be able to stay in the job for longer, after company chairman Charles Goode announced today that the fixed term element of Voelte's contract had been removed.

Perth-based neurology research company NeuroDiscovery Ltd subsidiary NeuroSolutions Ltd will provide biopharmaceutical companies with native human neurones under a collaborative agreement with UK-based Stem Cell Sciences plc.

Welshpool-based engineering company RCR Tomlinson Ltd has announced a 137 per cent increase in its net profit, a result which foreshadows what is expected to be a bumper year for WA companies.

Nedlands-based pharmaceutical group PharmAust Ltd has signed an agreement with US-based Commonwealth Biotechnologies Inc to co-market their products - giving both companies an entry into the other's markets.

Perth-based internet service provider EFTel Ltd has acquired Queensland-based broadband provider aaNet, almost doubling the company's broadband customer base to around 40,000, and giving the company around 140,000 active accounts overall.

Welshpool-based water and power solutions company Solco Ltd has agreed to place 8 million shares at 18 cents each with German investment bank Gebhard & Co. Wertpapierhandelsbank AG.

Kalgoorlie-based nickel explorer Pioneer Nickel Ltd aims to raise over $2 million through a capital raising to advance exploration programmes at its Ravensthorpe copper-gold and Golden Ridge nickel joint venture projects.

Perth-based biotechnology company Stirling Products Ltd has signed a deal with Danish company Equine HealthCare ApS, to establish a joint venture to develop technology to treat heaves, an equine respiratory disease.

Former Statewest Credit Society Ltd shareholders have made $45.4 million through the sale of 3.3 million shares in Home Building Society Ltd, following the merger of the two groups late last month.

National IT infrastructure services player ComputerCorp Ltd is seeking $6 million as part of its transition from a privately held West Perth firm to listing through shell company Etick Ltd.

Four days after Rusina Mining NL managing director Robert Gregory defended three of his directors following a proposal to axe their positions by minority shareholder Vladimir "Roger" Nikolaenko, a fourth, Peter Hampshire, has resigned.

Perth-based oil and gas exploration company CityView Corporation Ltd is on the verge of entering into a joint venture agreement with Johannesburg-based Petro African Energy plc.