Fraser Beattie

Engineering and contracting group Downer EDI has trimmed its full-year profit guidance after posting a nearly 24 per cent drop in first-half profit, with one of the few positives being increased work on oil and gas projects in Western Australia.

Soon-to-be renamed Malagasy Minerals has welcomed Regis Resources as a substantial shareholder as the company completes its acquisition of the Karlawinda gold project near Newman, while also announcing the appointment of local gold mining executives to its board.

Programmed Maintenance Services has flagged a $75 million impairment resulting from poor performance in its marine services division, but expects to lift earnings to over $100 million by FY17 as it benefits from growth in other sectors of the economy.

Colleagues have paid tribute to Troy Resources chairman and Aquarius Platinum director David Dix, who passed away overnight.

Mining contractor Byrnecut has won a contract to expand OZ Minerals’ Prominent Hill copper-gold project in South Australia, with the work expected to cost about $12 million.

The number of new homes approved for construction in Western Australia fell for a 15th consecutive month in December, with the industry flagging a downturn in national activity.

Former oil and gas explorer Emerald Resources has confirmed plans to transition to the gold sector, announcing today a joint venture deal to earn-in to Renaissance Minerals’ Cambodian gold project.

Western Australia started 2016 on the wrong foot with the number of new cars sold in the state already tailing the national average in January.

Reclaim Industries is set to be reborn as a staffing technology company after completing a $6 million capital raising as part of its acquisition of Rision.

Shares in recently-listed seafoods business Mareterram lifted today on news it has purchased the business that owns the 'Famous Australian Seafoods' brand for $1.3 million.

Civmec has expanded its portfolio with the completion of its $20.7 million acquisition of NSW-based private engineering and shipbuilding company Forgacs Engineering.

The state government has again changed its mind on a key election promise, with Transport Minister Dean Nalder saying he is now in favour of an underground heavy rail system for Perth's north-western suburbs.

Education provider Navitas has posted a solid half-year result but expects earnings to remain in line with its FY15 result, with contract losses to affect the business over the next six months.

Perth dwelling values fell 1 per cent in January as Australia’s combined capital cities showed a 0.9 per cent rise, with the local market expected to remain soft this year.

Perth-based contractor OTOC expects to post a profitable half-year after diversifying its business to mitigate the impact of the resources sector downturn.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA’s Energy Apprenticeships Group has kicked off with 16 process operator apprentices to begin their four-year training today.

Meteoric Resources has announced plans to acquire an unlisted courier business and adopt its business model in a deal valued at about $12.9 million.

Woodside Petroleum says its recently flagged write-downs of up to $US1.2 billion ($A1.7 billion) had taken into account possible delays at the Wheatstone LNG project near Onslow.

VDM Group shares surged on news the company’s chief executive has stepped aside, with former BGC Contracting manager Sam Diep to take the helm.

Decmil Group has expanded its business with the acquisition of Melbourne-based civil engineering company Cut & Fill Pty Ltd for $9.5 million.

Premier Colin Barnett and Planning Minister John Day have officially opened Elizabeth Quay after decades of discussion and debate.

Perth construction contractor Georgiou Group has locked in another substantial infrastructure project, after winning a $52 million contract to build a new four-lane traffic bridge in Mandurah.

A $7.3 million extension of the Perth Core Library is under way to boost exploration programs, with Firm Construction beginning work today.

The state’s environment minister has picked three legal professionals to conduct a review into the Environmental Protection Authority, in the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Roe 8 highway project last month.

Perth-based Decmil Group has won a contract to provide temporary accommodation for ConocoPhillips workers at the Australia Pacific LNG facility on Curtis Island for an undisclosed sum.

A collaboration between Victor Goh’s AAIG and Adrian Fini’s private development firm, Fini Group, plans to develop apartments and a hotel at Elizabeth Quay, after offering $85 million for two lots.

A joint venture between mining services companies Ausdrill and Barminco has been named the preferred contractor for work at AngloGold Ashanti’s Geita gold mine in Tanzania, with the deal worth about $US70 million ($A99.5 million).

Southern Cross Electrical Engineering has flagged its return to the black, saying it expects to report a $3.5 million first-half profit and remain profitable throughout the financial year.

Carnarvon Petroleum has acquired a 35 per cent stake in Quadrant Energy’s Barrow sub-basin oil project, and has committed $10 million towards a drilling program scheduled for June.

Perth-based Excalibur Mining Corporation’s shares closed over 150 per cent higher on news it was considering an acquisition of Singapore-based tech company Dropmysite for an undisclosed sum.

Shares in oil and gas company AWE have rallied on news it has sold its stake in the Sugarloaf project in the US for $US190 million ($A271 million).

VDM Group has finalised terms for an $18 million loan facility with its largest shareholder to fund an investment in a copper project located in the Republic of Angola.