Fraser Beattie

There are signs of recovery in the local economy, with employment and sales activity numbers showing improved performance in June and a major report predicting further recovery next year.

A Wangara-based renewable technology company is seeking to list on the ASX through the reverse takeover of dormant Perth company Axxis Technology.

Darren Foster has been formally confirmed as director general of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, making him arguably the state's most powerful public servant, in a move forshadowed by Business News in March.

The corporate watchdog has banned a Perth financial adviser from the industry for failing to act in the best interests of his clients while he was employed by a subsidiary of Westpac.

BHP Billiton has met full-year production targets in its main iron ore and petroleum businesses, with a record result achieved at its Western Australian operation, but fell just short in its troubled copper business due to an extended strike at a Chilean mine.

Fortescue Metals Group has poured cold water over reports that its proposed Eliwana iron ore mine near Tom Price would produce more ore on an annual basis than the mine it would replace.

Shares in Wellard have hit an all-time low after the live cattle exporter flagged a disappointing end-of-year result.

Westgold Resources will no longer acquire Silver Lake Resources’ stake in the Cue operation after joint venture partner Musgrave Minerals exercised its pre-emptive right to buy the interest.

Troubled Perth company Quintis plans to take legal action against its founder and former managing director over claims he has failed to meet repayment obligations on an $11 million loan.

The relocation of tenants of the old City Beach High School is continuing, despite the government having dumped plans to redevelop the facility for a new public secondary school.

Investors have welcomed news this morning that Programmed Maintenance Services will be purchased by a Japanese staffing company for about $780 million in cash.

Shares in Tanzania-focused Graphex Mining rebounded after the company announced it had struck a revised agreement with its Chinese partner over the Chilalo graphite project.

Western Australian businessman Roger Hussey has been remembered by his colleagues as an intelligent and energetic contributor to the local community, following his death yesterday.

Kibaran Resources and Black Rock Mining are the latest Perth-based explorers with operations in Tanzania to come out of a trading halt since legislative changes in the African country were announced.

Michael Fotios-led Eastern Goldfields says it will counterclaim GR Engineering Services over work at its Davyhurst gold operation, after the contractor began Supreme Court proceedings yesterday.

Pancontinental Oil & Gas has made changes to its board and executive line-up after completing its acquisition of private company Bombora Natural Energy.

The world's largest lithium producer will make a $A150 million investment in Kidman Resources' Mt Holland project near Southern Cross, and plans to build a new refinery in the region.

Financial services business Euroz has flagged a surge in net profit for the 2017 financial year and an increased dividend payout, on the back of an improved performance by its broking arm.

GR Engineering Services has launched Supreme Court proceedings against Eastern Goldfields and is seeking about $10 million in relation to its contract for refurbishment of the Davyhurst operation.

Talga Resources has agreed to work with a German building materials producer to explore the use of graphite and graphene to enhance concrete applications.

Exploration companies Orecorp, Cradle Resources and Graphex Mining have been pummelled on the ASX as the market continues to react to changes to mining and exporting laws in Tanzania.

Boutique distillery Great Southern Distilling Company has been crowned this year’s Telstra Western Australian Business of the Year.

Kidman Resources has successfully fended off Marindi Metals’ claims of rights to the Mt Holland lithium project near Southern Cross, after a Supreme Court verdict was handed down last week.

Neometals will hold on to its minority stake in the Mt Marion lithium mine after failing to find a buyer, and plans to spin-out its technology and titanium assets into a new company.

Shares in Tanzania-focused mining and exploration companies were hit again today after they revealed the full slate of planned legislative changes in the African nation, which include the Tanzanian government giving itself the right to get a 16 per cent stake in mining companies for no cost.

The South Australian government has awarded Elon Musk’s Tesla the contract to build the world's largest lithium ion battery to supply the state with renewable energy, outbidding local company Carnegie Clean Energy.

Mount Gibson Iron has received a further $64.3 million insurance payout from the collapse of a seawall at its Koolan Island iron ore mine in 2014.

Mount Gibson Iron has torn up a second offtake agreement with a Chinese customer that had planned to buy product from its Iron Hill mine in the Mid West.

End-of-financial-year specials failed to maintain May's positive tone on new car sales for Western Australia, with numbers for June down 5.5 per cent as the financial year ended with a whimper.

Spanish-controlled CIMIC Group has backed away from its former takeover target Macmahon Holdings, selling its 23.6 per cent stake in the Perth company for $46.8 million.

Shares in Doray Minerals have been hammered on news the company will suspend operations at its Andy Well gold mine later this year.

Listed company Veris, which has built a national surveying and town planning operation over recent years, has discontinued its foundation business, mine camp contractor Otoc Australia, after carving-out Otoc's communications arm into a new entity.