Edited announcement

Perth-based metals explorer Prairie Downs Ltd has announced plans to raise $5.5 million through a placement, with the money to be spent on the exploration and development of the company's namesake zinc project.

Perth-based boutique wealth management firm Plan B Group Holdings Ltd's New Zealand subsidiary Partnership Financial Services Ltd has signed a three-year affinity partner agreement with NZ's Polson Higgs Business Advisors.

Balcatta-based mineral explorer Conquest Mining Ltd has signed a joint venture agreement with South African company Gold Fields Ltd's Australian subsidiary, allowing it to earn a 51 per cent stake in part of its Central Queensland landholdings.

West Perth oil and gas exploration firm Otto Energy Ltd will raise $11 million through a placement to fund ongoing exploration and development of its Philippines assets, the company has announced.

The first 20 graduates from Fortescue Metals Group Ltd's Vocational Training and Employment Centre have commenced full time employment at its Pilbara rail construction project, the company has announced.

West Perth-based Black Range Minerals Ltd has secured a 100 per cent interest in two Colorado uranium deposits, giving mineral rights for approximately 7,680 acres, the company has announced.

West Perth-based base metals miner Vulcan Resources Ltd has appointed Alinta director and Australian Institute of Company Directors WA President Fiona Harris to its board.

West Perth-based miner Straits Resources Ltd subsidiary Varomet Holdings Ltd has acquired the German and Chinese magnesium operations of Norway's Norsk Hydro ASA, Straits has announced.

West Perth-based minerals explorer Avoca Resources Ltd has completed the acquisition of two gold projects from Chalice Gold Mines Ltd, issuing shares worth $5 million to the company today.

Sydney-based industrial services company United Group Ltd will construct 120 iron ore wagons for BHP Billiton's "Rapid Growth Project 4" at its Bassendean workshop as part of $180 million in new projects around Australia.

West Perth-based uranium explorer Scimitar Resources Ltd has been granted an exploration licence over part of the Amadeus Uranium Project by the Northern Territory's department of primary industry, fisheries and mines, the company has announced.

St George Bank plans to open five new branches in Western Australia, the company has announced, after the opening of the bank's Fremantle outlet last night.

West Perth-based LinQ Resource Fund has acquired a 5.7 per cent interest in Perth-based mineral explorer Redbank Mines Ltd after participating in an excluded offer by the company to raise $1.2 million.

Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan has called on the Federal Government to increase funding to Western Australian infrastructure, saying that political considerations were distorting the allocation of Austlink funding.

Melbourne-based Centro Properties Group has announced an agreement to acquire the Westpoint Corporation-linked Warnbro Fair Shopping Centre in Western Australia for $57 million.

Perth-based oil and gas explorer Eureka Energy Ltd has raised $3 million through the placement of 9.4 million shares at 32 cents each, raising funds for drilling and other activities at its Sugarloaf project, as well as for further working capital.

Subiaco-based gold explortion company Carbine Resources Ltd and North Perth resources explorer Drake Resources Ltd have raised funds through placements, the companies have announced.

Two Perth-based companies have announced successful captial raising to boost their working capital funds.

South Perth-based oil and gas explorer Central Petroleum Ltd has raised $9 million through an underwritten exercise of options and share placement, the company has announced.

West Perth-based Sterling Biofuels International Ltd has finalised construction of its Malaysia-based biodiesel production facility on time and $1.9 million under budget, the company announced today.

North Perth-based development fund MEC Resources Ltd has launched a shareholder share purchase plan to raise around $1.5 million for working capital.

East Perth-based diamonds explorer North Australian Diamonds Ltd will spin-off its Northern Territory uranium assets through an initial public offer, raising up to $9 million, the company announced today.

West Perth-based petroleum explorer ARC Energy Ltd will farmin to two Canning Basin permits owned by Nedlands-based oil and gas explorer Empire Oil & Gas NL after completing two geophysical surveys.

The inaugural Western Australian Spatial Excellence Awards were held at the weekend hosted by the Western Australian regional groups of the Australian Spatial Information Business Association and the Spatial Sciences Institute.

West Perth-based Murchison Metals Ltd has completed a placement worth $113 million, using funds raised to investigate and fund growth opportunities in the bulk commodities sector and for working capital.

West Perth-based minerals explorer Warwick Resources Ltd has raised $3.5 million through a placement to fund followup drilling on the company's gold and copper projects, along with work on other projects.

Bank of Queensland's Western Australian branches will expand to five next month, with former BankWest employee Gui Pierre opening an owner-managed branch in Midland.

Perth-based Aurora Oil & Gas Ltd will raise $10.6 million through a placement and rights issue to secure additional working capital for its oil and gas projects in the United States.

Subiaco-based Poseidon Nickel Ltd, currently listed as Niagara Mining Ltd, has purchased Nedlands-based Dynasty Metals Ltd's Laverton Nickel Project through a scrip issue of $400,000.

Perth-based diamond explorer Paramount Mining Corporation Ltd has reached an option agreement to acquire a 50 per cent stake in a South African diamond project by spending $600,000 on mining operations.

Perth-based uranium explorer Fission Energy Ltd has announced plans to undertake a pro-rata non-renounceable options issue at one cent each on a basis of one option for every two shares held, as foreshadowed in its initial public offer.

West Perth-based minerals explorer Gunson Resources Ltd has entered into a memorandum of understanding for project finance and zircon product offtake from its Coburn Zircon Project in Western Australia, with China Triumph International Engineering Co Ltd