Carrie Burns

Ausdrill subsidiary Energy Drilling Australia has secured a contract extension of undisclosed value with Strike Energy for a three-month drill campaign in the Cooper Basin.

Final steps are underway for Perth-based global marketing venture Mpire Media’s reverse takeover of Lithex Resources, with the junior explorer appointing Shaw Stockbroking as lead manager to its $10 million capital raising.

West African-focused gold explorer Predictive Discovery plans to raise up to $1.85 million for further exploration, through a placement and a rights issue backed by its biggest shareholder.

Range Resources has secured a US$15 million loan from John Hancock-advised Lind Partners to accelerate development drilling of Range’s Trinidad onshore assets.

Perth-based explorer Gold Road Resources has received commitments for a $23.2 million capital raising, with the company keen to further explore gold targets identified within its tenement holding on the Yamarna Belt.

A co-working office space catering specifically to the mining sector will launch next week in West Perth, as mining and exploration companies seek to reduce accommodation costs.

Asia-focused social entertainment platform migme has announced a partnership with Universal Music Indonesia; following migme’s August backdoor listing to the ASX in a reverse takeover of Latin Gold.

WA Insolvency Solutions has announced a merger with national insolvency accounting practice Jirsch Sutherland, with the six WA offices continuing to trade under their existing name.

Chinese private investor Australia Kengkong Investments Co could own a 45 per cent stake in Perth-based VDM Group and secure a seat on its board, as part of a $10 million convertible loan agreement announced today.

Radar Iron and Victory Mining have struck a deal to raise a total $5.5 million to fund the $2.9 million debt repayment for the acquisition of Radar’s Yerecoin project.

Private equity players are at the heart of a second major Perth-based food franchise deal within 12 months, with Malaysian private equity firm Navis Capital Partners reacquiring a majority stake in Dome Coffees at a price estimated to be at least $50 million.

Two Perth-based minerals explorers announced today that their placements had received commitments from investors, worth a combined $3.6 million in total.

Cardinal Resources has completed its bid for $900,000 of capital from sophisticated and professional investors, with additional rights issue shares yet to become available to eligible shareholders.

King River Copper has announced it would seek to raise $900,000 for further exploration of its Kimberley tenements, with phase two of its drilling expected to recommence next week.

Perth-based State One Stockbroking and online broking division Amscot Stockbroking are the first brokers in Western Australia to operate the ASX’s new managed fund settlement service.

Azumah Resources has secured $1.2 million in funding for its Wa gold project in Ghana through a placement to existing shareholder, Caitlyn Limited.

Murray Bathgate has joined electrical and specialist security solutions provider Trivantage Group as national business development manager for its Trivantage Power division.

Wesfarmers has announced that Colin Carter and Charles Macek will step down as non-executive directors after the company's AGM to be held in Perth on November 20 2014.

Sundance Resources has appointed former Leighton Holdings chief executive officer Wal King as its new chairman, following the retirement of current chairman George Jones after the company’s AGM in November.

Subiaco-based explorer Aspire Mining has announced a $2.2 million placement to sophisticated investors for drilling at its Nuurstei coal project in northern Mongolia.

Manas Resources has announced plans to raise $850,000 to fund pre-development work at its Shambesai gold project in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Perth-based national IT services provider Empired has expansion in its sights, after completing a $10.5 million capital raising on the back of strong year-end profit results.

Perth-based contractor OTOC has secured $10 million in funding to pursue its national expansion, through a 20-cent placement of 50 million shares.

Cardinal Resources has announced a $1.6 million placement and non-renounceable rights issue of options to raise funds for continued exploration of its West African mines.

Sunbird Energy has announced a deal with Vandasia Investments under which the gas explorer and developer will secure a $25 million cash injection and a new major strategic partner.

Chrysalis Resources has entered into a deal to grant Fortescue Metals Group exclusive exploration access and an option to buy the Chrysalis West Angelas Project Tenements.

Civil and mining industry contractor Viento Group has announced a joint venture with 100 per cent indigenous owned Kimberley Pipelines, expanding Viento’s services into the pipeline construction industry.

Perth-based Cobham Aviation Services will introduce the Embraer 190 to its fleet as part of the $160 million extended contract with Chevron Australia.