Fraser Beattie

One week after a big spike in its share price, Northern Mining has finalised plans to buy a major stake in a China-based gold exploration firm for a cash and share package worth $7.25 million.

Pindan has broken ground at TRG Properties’ Marina Edge project in Port Coogee after being named the replacement builder for Diploma Group, which backed out of a $38 million development contract on Monday.

Software technology company LiveTiles has had a tough first day of trading on the ASX, after completing a reverse takeover of Perth-based Modun Resources.

Hong Kong-listed MMG is farming-in to Segue Resources’ Plumridge nickel project in the Fraser Range, in a deal worth $14 million.

A new not-for-profit representative organisation led by several local startup entrepreneurs and business leaders has officially launched today.

Two prominent Perth businesswomen have moved on to new government roles, with Heather Zampatti named the new chair for Lotterywest, while Libby Lyons has become a director of the national Workplace Gender Equality Agency.

The board of infrastructure services group Cardno has told its shareholders to reject a $215 million takeover proposal it received earlier in the week from Crescent Capital Investments.

Newcrest Mining is looking to increase its exploration acreage in West Africa through a proposed joint venture agreement with Perth-based company Taruga Gold, while AngloGold Ashanti has advanced plans to redevelop its Obuasi mine in Ghana.

Curtin University will close its Sydney campus in 2017 while education provider Navitas, which manages the campus and delivers the programs, will consolidate its services at La Trobe Sydney.

Local exploration firms Impact Minerals, Lucapa Diamond Company, and General Mining Corporation have taken in a combined $8.4 million from successful capital raisings.

Five Western Australian venues have been recognised at the 2015 Australian Hotels Association National Awards for Excellence, held on the Gold Coast last night.

Former Amcom Telecommunications chairman Anthony Grist has invested in listed tech company Decimal Software, which is seeking extra cashflow while awaiting the receipt of a research and development tax refund.

A development application for the first stage of Lendlease's $1 billion Waterbank project in East Perth has been submitted, paving the way for construction to begin mid-next year.

The corporate watchdog has stopped Perth-based Macro Realty Developments from promoting a Pilbara property investment that ran afoul of Australian company regulations.

Poseidon Nickel says it is considering a potential restart of operations at its mothballed Silver Swan mine, after plans to sell the asset to Tony Sage’s Caeneus Minerals for $2.7 million fell through.

The family that holds a majority interest in Diploma Group has formally launched a takeover offer for all shares it doesn’t own in the business, at a bargain basement price of 1.5 cents per share.

Steven Goh’s social networking company migme has raised $10 million from an oversubscribed placement to shareholders.

7-Eleven founder and chairman Russ Withers says allegations of staff underpayment by franchisees have challenged all levels of the company, and substantial changes will be made to its business model.

Crown Perth and Scope Training are among this year’s winners in the 21st annual WA Training Awards.

The Australian Institute of Geoscientists has appealed to the federal government for the inclusion of the geoscientist profession on the list of jobs to which labour market testing applies under the 457 visa program.

Perth-based rare earths explorer Greenland Minerals and Energy will undertake a $6.1 million non-renounceable rights issue to fund ongoing work at its Kvanefield project.

Cash Converters International has announced a number of board changes, including the retirement of its chairman, and has commenced a review of the business as it responds to challenging market conditions.

The number of home loans approved in July was unchanged in Western Australia, while the national rate rose 0.3 per cent according to seasonally adjusted Australian Bureau of Statistics data.

Sport is taking over business in Perth as the AFL finals loom, with the ‘Go Freo’ sign on Woodside Plaza rivalled by a ‘Go Eagles’ sign on BHP Billiton's home at Brookfield Place, while the mining giant also committed to a new investment at the under-construction Perth Stadium.

Vanadium and uranium explorer Yellow Rock Resources has formed a new subsidiary with an unnamed local solar system installer to sell vanadium-based batteries in Australia.

Local IT firm ASG Group has won a $9 million contract to provide managed services to the Victorian Department of Education and Training (DET), under an initial two-year term.

Diversified miner Independence Group has slashed its workforce by 28 positions at its Long Operation in Kambalda, as it implements a number of cost-saving changes to its mining plan in response to the depressed nickel market.

Struggling iron ore miner Pluton Resources has fallen back into the hands of receivers and managers, less than six months after the board regained control of the company, as part of a new structuring proposal.

Online screening and verification company CVCheck has had a quiet first of trading on the ASX, closing 1 cent higher to 21 cents.

Specialist materials technology company Alexium International Group has won a contract to provide its flame-retardant chemistry products to a US-based military supplier.

The founder and non-executive chairman of Henderson-based shipbuilder Austal has sold down a portion of his shareholding in the company for $7.24 million.

Medical device company Compumedics has won a contract to fit out the neurology department at the new $1.2 billion Perth Children’s Hospital.