Edited announcement

The advisory body for the $45 million Shark Bay and Exmouth Gulf trawl fishing industry has had been strengthened, with three new members appointed.

With confirmation of settlement of its latest acquisition, the Aspen Group believes its Aspen Parks Property Fund is on track to achieve the fund's target of $150 million in assets by July 2009.

Environment Minister Mark McGowan has given final environmental approval for Fortescue Metals Group's Ltd Cloud Break iron ore mine, subject to a comprehensive package of environmental conditions.

Aker Kvaerner in joint venture with Clough Murray & Roberts has secured a $111 million contract for the expansion of the Boddington gold mine project, south east of Perth.

The state government will commit $100 million to lay the foundation for a new and better corrections system in Western Australia.

Northern Star Resources Ltd has announced plans for its 2006 exploration season in the east Kimberley region of Western Australia, with a wide-ranging drilling programme.

Broad-based resources company Range Resources has entered into a significant farm-in agreement with the Korea National Oil Corporation in the Puntland area of Somalia.

More than 100,000 trees will be planted to help offset the 63,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emitted by the state government's vehicle fleet in 2006.

Perth-based Cougar Metals NL has begun its first gold drilling program in Brazil, at its high-grade Alta Floresta Project in the central west of the country.

Employment Protection Minister John Bowler today announced a Code of Practice on Working Hours while attending a function in Kalgoorlie celebrating 150 years of the eight-hour working day.

The first of four gas-fired 'cogeneration' power plants being built by Alinta at Alcoa refineries in Western Australia was formally commissioned today.

GRD Limited announced today that it has transferred the first Greenhouse Friendly emission reduction units in accordance with its forward sales agreement with BP Australia.

Canadian-based Committee Bay Resources Ltd, has completed the first-year funding commitment of $2.7 million to its joint venture partner at the Coolgardie Gold Project in Western Australia.

Abra Mining Ltd has taken over the farm-in rights of Perilya Ltd to Apex Minerals' NL Jillawarra project in the same area as Abra's multi-resource project.

Oil and gas producer Coogee Resources Ltd has announced a second discovery in the Timor Sea, enhancing its plans for the development of the Montara/Skua oilfield, and lifting its combined total reserves in the area to around 38 million barrels of oil.

Perth-headquartered healthcare company Resonance Health Ltd today announced details of an expansion strategy for its US business operations.

Mincor Resources NL has added a diversified tungsten, uranium, copper and gold exploration opportunity to its growth portfolio after being granted exploration licences in the Gascoyne region, east of Carnarvon in Western Australia.

Western Australian marine services company Neptune Marine Services Limited has announced a new growth strategy that will see it broaden its range of services, and expand operations into the oil and gas sector.

WA-based gold company Focus Minerals Ltd is to target the proposed early re-commencement of gold production at Coolgardie in Western Australia's gold fields.

Welshpool-based Solco Ltd has appointed Dermot Patterson as chief executive officer of the company and has announced a re-structure of its business into seperate water and power divisions.

West Perth-based Western Metals Ltd has accepted the conditional farm-in agreement offer from Uranium Resources plc whereby Western Metals will earn a 40 per cent interest in Uranium Resource's Tanzanian prospecting licences for $2 million.

West Perth-based junior oil and gas explorer Livingstone Petroleum Ltd announced it would raise $1.5 million to be used to assist funding of the forthcoming six well program to be undertaken by the Forbes joint venture.

West Perth-based financial services company ThinkSmart Ltd has today launched its branded product SmartPlan in PC City super stores across France.

Nedlands-based Resonance Health Ltd has announced it has been granted Canadian regulatory clearance by Health Canada for FerriScan, its novel non-invasive diagnostic test for liver iron concentration.

Australian women home-owners consider neighbourhood safety one of the most important influences when buying a home and most wait until they have found a partner or are married before moving into home ownership according to a Newspoll survey.

The Directors of Apex Minerals NL are pleased to announce a new strategic direction for the Company in the Australian minerals industry.

Environment Minister Mark McGowan has given the go-ahead for Worsley Alumina's plans to expand its Collie refinery but must still make a decision on Alcoa's contentious plans to expand its Wagerup alumina refinery.

Mandurah property developer Port Bouvard Ltd has once again extended the settlement date for the planned $6.3 million sale of The Cut golf course and clubhouse to Vive Holdings Ltd and John Kelly.

Energy Minister Francis Logan today announced the membership and CEO of the Independent Market Operator (IMO, the statutory corporation that will supervise Western Australia's wholesale electricity market.

Balcatta-based transport systems group ERG Ltd has announced two new contracts in Utah, United States and Wellington, New Zealand.

Little known South Perth-based Prime Solar Pty Ltd has announced plans to establish a manufacturing facility in Germany to produce 680 MW per annum silicon wafers with an estimated project cost of $700 million.

Perth-based gold explorer Mawson West Ltd has signed a deal with Anvil Mining Ltd, enabling it to earn a 65 per cent interest in a tenement package in central Africa for US$4 million (A$5.4 million) over four years.