Fraser Beattie

Perth-based minerals explorer Rift Valley Resources has signed a deal to wholly acquire the Mtemi Resources Group of Companies after completing a $4 million capital raising.

The state government has fast-tracked legislation into parliament to curb excessive rate rises on some tenements in the mining and petroleum sectors.

Resource Development Group managing director Jeff Brill has stepped down from his executive role as the mining services group looks to cut costs.

Subiaco-based minerals explorer TNG has signed an offtake agreement for vanadium from its flagship Mount Peake vanadium-titanium-iron project in the Northern Territory with South Korean-based Woojin.

Atlas Iron non-executive director David Hannon has resigned from the company's board with immediate effect to focus on family matters, with the company yet to announce a replacement.

Sino Gas and Energy Holdings has finalised agreements for the sale of gas from its Linxing Station to a Chinese energy investor, at $US9.62 per thousand cubic feet.

Perth-based PLD Corporation will proceed with acquiring three zinc and nickel projects, including collapsed miner Kagara’s Admiral Bay zinc project, now that it has secured about $10 million from two mining finance managers, including Resource Capital Funds.

Sedgman has awarded Perth-based concrete construction group Whittens a multi-million dollar subcontract to provide civil work at Groote Eylandt Mining Company’s Manganese mine in the Northern Territory.

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation says it will continue to lobby and fight for the Aboriginal Heritage Act Amendment Bill, which is currently before parliament, to be re-drafted.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission disclosed today it had raised concerns about Resolute Mining’s project valuations, prior to the Perth-based miner's decision to impair its Syama gold mine in Mali by $310 million.

Shares in gold miner Regis Resources have fallen 28 per cent after the company said annual production would be at the lower end of its target range.

Perth-based oil and gas company Tap Oil has launched a strategic review process that includes the possible sale of the business, after one of its substantial shareholders proposed a board shake-up.

Shares in uranium miner Bannerman Resources dropped 15.3 per cent on news it initiated a discounted share purchase plan to raise up to $2 million.

Home ownership levels have fallen by almost 10 per cent in Perth while population growth outshone the rest of the country, according to a report released by the Committee for Perth.

The battle for sponsorship support at Sculpture by the Sea has continued for another year, after iron ore magnate Gina Rinehart chose not to continue her financial backing for the exhibition on Cottesloe Beach, preferring to support two sporting groups.

The Environmental Protection Authority has given conditional approval to Chevron’s fourth train expansion proposal at its Gorgon gas project on Barrow Island.

The consumer watchdog has given the green light to Woodside Petroleum’s proposed purchase of oil and gas assets from US energy company Apache, after concluding it would not have a significant effect on the domestic gas market.

Henderson-based engineering and construction firm Civmec has won a $73 million steelwork contract for the new Perth Stadium.

Shares in engineering and construction firm Valmec surged on news it was awarded a $5.3 million contract to provide services to the Origin Energy-operated Talinga Gas processing facility in Queensland.

LandCorp has awarded Perth-based contractor Brierty an $11 million contract to build the first stage of its Broome Road Industrial Park in the Kimberley.

Former Ashurst partner Paul Riethmuller has started at global law firm Jones Day as a partner in its projects and infrastructure practice in Perth.

The state government has abandoned plans to cancel late night train services and offered free rides after it was revealed inaccurate information regarding usage had been provided by the Public Transport Authority.

Regular letters will take an extra two days to arrive under a two-speed mail service that Australia Post plans to deliver as it faces a significant structural decline.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has left the cash rate unchanged at 2.25 per cent after cutting it in February.

Solco has completed its transition from solar panel wholesaling to financing and technology with the wrap-up of its $9.2 million acquisition of GO Group.

Subiaco-based internet provider iiNet has announced its customers across all brands will have quota-free access to Netflix, when the online streaming service hits Australian shores in less than three weeks.

Buru Energy and APPEA have commended the Shire of Broome for its decision to vote down an anti-gas declaration that sought to declare the region frack-free.

Civil contracting and mining services firm NRW Holdings has dipped into the red with a $120.6 million half-year loss, but announced a $330 million contract extension with Middlemount Coal.

West Perth-based miner Metals X has hit back at Northern Star Resources’ bid for Tanami Gold’s Central Tanami project with claims that the deal conflicted with legally-binding obligations.

Newcrest Mining has sold more than half of its one-third stake in Evolution Mining for about $106 million.

Workers fear hundreds of jobs are to be cut by mining giant Rio Tinto as it begins a new round of cost cutting by merging its copper and coal divisions.

Sandfire Resources has posted a 9 per cent slide in half-year profit to $30.5 million on the back of lower prevailing copper prices.