Edited announcement

Shares in gold explorer Carrick Gold closed almost 12 per cent higher today after the company announced the start of pre-feasability studies at it's three open-pit mines north east of Kalgoorlie.

Avoca Resources has appointed three of its board members, including managing director Rohan Williams, to the board of 44.85 per cent owned company, Dioro Exploration.

The legal wrangling between Applecross-based Prime Minerals and disgruntled shareholder Colbern Nominees has escalated after the latter requisitioned a meeting to remove the explorer's entire board.

The state's job market is tipped to suffer a setback in the December quarter as hiring intentions by employers dip below the national outlook average, a new employment survey shows.

South West-based Challenge Australian Dairy, which owns the Capel brand, has won two awards at this year's Westpac Food and Beverage industry awards.

Perth-based Web Ace faces a $1 million fine after the communications regulatory body found the internet service provider had deducted money from customers' credit card accounts without permission.

Mirvac Group's The Point, a residential and commercial precinct in Mandurah, has taken out top honours at this year's Urban Development Institute of Australia's awards while the Town of Claremont received a rising star gong.

Western Australia has again retained the title of being one of the least desirable mining jurisdictions in Australia with inefficient exploration and mining approvals processes at the centre of the state's poor performance, a worldwide survey has found.

VDM Group has announced it has been awarded a $93.5 million contract for work building an accommodation unit at Citic Pacific's Sino Iron Project at Cape Preston in the Pilbara.

Wesfarmers has raised $500 million via notes with a five-year term which it will use for general funding and to repay shorter term debt.

LandCorp is seeking Expressions of Interest for a head contractor to construct and manage the delivery of the dynamic Ord-East Kimberley Expansion Project's infrastructure.

The state government has announced two new appointments to the board of the South West Development Commission and named Augusta-Margaret River shire president Stephen Harrison as chairman.

Engineering and construction company Clough today announced that Andrew Walsh has resigned his role of chief financial officer and executive director and will terminate his employment on 30 September 2009.

Investment fund Aviva Investors Australia has emerged as a substantial shareholder in modular and transportable buildings manufacturer Nomad Building Solutions, taking more than 5 per cent for $860,000.

Aspen Group is pleased to advise that settlement of the hospital component of the Norwest Private Hospital development was completed on 3 September 2009.

Aurox Resources says it has secured a $10 million equity placement facility with US-based investment fund YA Global Master SPV, which will reduce the Subiaco-based company's medium-term funding risk.

Perth-based Resolute Mining plans to raise up to $35 million through a convertible notes placement as it enters a conditional agreement Barclays Bank to restructure its debt facilities.

Fremantle Ports has embarked on its biggest infrastructure project for decades with the $250 million deepening of the inner habour to cater for bigger ships.

Subiaco-based Indago Resources plans to sell three of its projects and raise capital through a rights issue following an asset and operational review.

Decmil non-executive director Denis Criddle has takeover over from chairman Dennis O'Neill after the latter today stepped down from the position.

Delays have prompted Stirling-based ComputerCORP to terminate its acquisition of private east coast outfit S Central while it seals the deal on another purchase.

West Perth-based Marengo Mining has welcomed several global investment funds, including Soros Funds Management, onto its register after it raised more than $16 million through a share placement in North America.

The new owner of the Newman Hotel Motel in the Pilbara has plans to double the size of the remote lodging to cater for top end executives in the town.

The state's largest health insurer HBF is forecasting a loss of $115 million for the 2009 financial year but says it has strong financial reserves, accumulated during recent years, to weather the financial downturn.

Perth-based business publisher Aspermont has posted a solid increase in revenue and underlying earnings but one-off restructuring costs have pushed its net result to a loss of $484,000.

More than a third of the state's small business operators are unsure whether their business is governed by state or federal industrial relations laws, a Small Business Development Corporation survey has found.

Ratings agency Standard & Poor's has suggested that state-owned energy retailer Synergy 's credit rating is likely to come under pressure when the government proceeds with changes to its power purchase contracts.

Balcatta-based Conquest Mining says it is currently in negotiations for an $80 million debt facility as it receives an offtake proposal from a Chinese smelter for its Silver Hill gold-silver-copper project.

Scooter manufacturer Vmoto has delivered its fourth successive year of revenue growth but has posted a $4 million loss for the 2009 financial year, largely attributable to the development of its new facility in China.

Brandrill has reported a 75 per cent slump in its full-year net profit on the back of a steep fall in revenues and tightening of competitive pressures on margins in the second half of the 2009 financial year.

VDM Group has reported a loss of $106 million for the 2009 financial year on the back of hefty writedowns coupled with weak business confidence and highly competitive tendering.

Ramelius Resources is pressing ahead with its takeover offer for WA goldfields neighbour Dioro Exploration, even though Avoca Resources has snared 44 per cent of Dioro..