Edited announcement

Recently listed Western Australian optical marketer, C @ Limited, is to open Australia's newest optical lens laboratory as part of its production facilities in East Perth.

Western Australia will join forces with eighteen agencies across Australia and New Zealand to combat consumer fraud and warn consumers about scams costing millions of dollars.

St George's Terrace -based internet service provider EFTel Ltd is building a large scale acquisition fund, including a $3 million facility from Westpac, to expand its acquisition opportunities in the consolidating IPS market.

Burswood-based waste management company Environmental Solutions International Ltd has emerged from more than a year in suspension from the share market to acquire Asia Pacific Coal and Steel Pty Ltd for shares worth more than $8 million.

The WA Nationals fear that flood-affected shires in WA may face financial ruin unless the State Government steps in with special funds to repair damaged local roads, bridges and other community infrastructure.

The State Government is reviewing its rigorous environmental enforcement policy to assist the fight to stamp out pollution.

Western Australian oil and gas player Baraka Petroleum has begun a US$3.7 million airborne survey of its Taoudeni Basin in Mali

Leederville-based Fox Resources Ltd has repaid the remaining $2 million of project debt to Societe Generale and announced its 17th shipment of Radio Hill nickel and copper from Dampier had a sales value of $4 million.

West Perth-based Avoca Resources Ltd's joint venture partner Encounter Resources Ltd has lodged a prospectus to raise $ 4 million to be used to further develop the two companies joint venture arrangement for the exploration of uranium deposits in WA.

West Perth-based mineral explorer Tanami Gold NL intends to commence mining operations in April at its Coyote Gold project with first gold production scheduled for the end of the June 2006 quarter.

The WA Nationals have welcomed the new round of State Government grants to help WA farmers improve on-farm water supplies, but have called for an even greater level of funding while the State can afford it.

West Perth-based Golden State Resources Ltd has entered a joint venture with specialist iron ore explorer Polaris Metals NL, allowing Polaris to earn a 70 per cent equity in the rights to iron ore at the Golden States' Johnston Range Project.

The Australian Information Industry Association's 2006 iAwards are set to recongnise ICT innovation across a total of 19 key industry categories with nominations closing on February 23rd, 2006.

Hamilton Hill-based aquaculture company Cell Aquaculture Ltd has purchased a substantial interest in Nevada-based Delta Aquaculture Services LLC in an effort to establish a long term presence in the United States.

The Australian Securities and Investment Commission is calling for a major overhaul as to how prospectuses should be written to make them shorter and more effective.

The Minerals Council of Australia has flagged its intention to pursue exploration and mining reform at this week's Council of Australian Government's meeting.

The acquisition of Easteel Industries Ltd and a tax concession helped boost Welshpool-based RCR Tomlinson Ltd's net profit for the December half year to $7.6 million.

The Federal Opposition's impassioned scrabble for political gain could cost Australian farmers millions with a likely casualty being the Single Desk for wheat exports according to The WA Farmers Federation.

The battle for a major stake in Nedlands-based Axiom Properties Ltd took a new turn today with joint venture vehicle Saramac Nominees and Axiom entering an agreement that would see Saramac paying $11.6 million for a 49 per cent stake in Axiom.

The first stage of tunnelling of the controversial New MetroRail City project has been completed.

Perth-based Vietnam Industrial Investments Ltd has entered into a non-binding expression of interest with an interested party for the sale of Vinausteel Ltd, in which it has a 70 per cent interest, and its wholly owned SSESTEEL Ltd for a total of US$9 mil

West Perth-based mining explorer Sylvania Resources Ltd has received a Letter of Intent from South African miner Samancor Ltd in relation to the recovery of chrome and platinum from a number of Samancor's tailings dams at its eastern chrome and western ch

West Perth mining and exploration company NuStar Mining Corporation Ltd will place 99 million new ordinary shares to a London based institutional investor, raising approximately $7 million.

Western Australian agricultural companies Rinex Technology, Inland Sales & Service and Agtech International will be showcasing their expertise at the upcoming World Ag Expo being held in California from 14 to 16 February.

The year ahead will be another healthy one for the housing and renovation industry in Western Australia, according to the December 2005 quarter HIA Western Australia State Outlook.

Edith Cowan University Business and Law students are currently on a study tour in India as part of their Bachelors and Masters degree programs, the only one of its kind run from Australia.

Jackson Gold Ltd and joint venture partner LionOre Australia Pty Ltd have finalised an agreement to buy into Placer Dome Australia Pty Ltd's Kalgoorlie nickel project adjacent to LionOre's Black Swan nickel project.

The recently formed Department of Water's next Farm Water Grants Scheme round has received a $700,000 boost by the Western Australian government to total $1.9 million in 2005-06.

Mineral explorer Dominion Mining Ltd has entered into an option agreement with South Australian gold, nickel and base metal mineral explorer Southern Gold Ltd.

NuStar Mining Corporation Ltd and Canadian gold and silver explorer, Intrepid Minerals Corporation, have formalised their commitment to merge through the execution of a definitive merger agreement.

Western Australia has recorded a massive $28.3billion trade surplus for 2005, up from $22.2billion in 2004, against an overall national result of a deficit of $17.1billion.

The first-ever export of an oil and gas jacket from Australia is on its way from the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson bound for New Zealand.