Fraser Beattie

Perth-based Phoenix Energy’s $380 million waste-to-energy facility at the Kwinana Industrial Area has been recommended for conditional approval by the Environmental Protection Authority.

Shares in Perth-based oil and gas explorer Titan Energy have surged on news it has signed a $US50 million funding deal with an undisclosed US-based investor to pursue drilling programs at its Allen Dome oil project in Texas.

Three consortia have been shortlisted to come up with detailed proposals for Western Australia’s first public private partnership for schools, with the winner to design, build, finance and maintain eight new public schools over 25 years.

Black Range Minerals shares closed on a high today on news it had received a takeover proposal from Canadian-based Western Uranium Corporation for all of the company’s shares.

Jolimont-based construction company Cooper & Oxley has won a $36.7 million contract from the state government to build the second stage of the new Byford Secondary College.

Southern Cross Electrical Engineering managing director Simon High has announced his impending retirement after spending nearly five years at the helm.

A joint venture between contractors Brierty and Bocol Constructions has won a $69 million contract to upgrade a section of the North West Coastal Highway in the Gascoyne and Pilbara regions.

Doray Minerals has refinanced a $55 million debt facility with Westpac to help fund development of its Andy Well stage 2 gold project in the Murchison region of Western Australia.

Shares in Poseidon Nickel have surged after it flagged a major resource upgrade at the recently purchased Lake Johnston nickel project near Norseman.

Perth-based Sandfire Resources has extended the mine life of its DeGrussa copper and gold mine near Meekatharra to mid-2021.

Law firms Clifford Chance and Lavan Legal have announced new appointments, with Paul Vinci taking the helm as managing partner and Jon Carson as senior partner of Clifford’s Perth office.

Tumbling commodity prices have stymied an $872 million takeover bid for engineering group Bradken, stripping more than 30 per cent from its shares.

The $1 billion Gateway WA roads project is now 60 per cent finished, six months ahead of schedule, with final completion now projected by mid-2016.

West Perth-based iron ore miner Mount Gibson Iron has flagged an $850 million to $950 million impairment after the company put its Koolan Island mine on care and maintenance in December.

The state government has awarded Cockram Construction a $13.4 million contract to build a new primary school in Baldivis, adding to the builder’s education centres portfolio.

Subiaco-based explorer Triton Minerals has secured a funding facility of up to $20 million over two years with Lone Star Investments, to assist in the development of its Nicanda Hill graphite and vanadium deposit in Mozambique.

Perth-based explorer Gold Road Resources will proceed with a pre-feasibility study on its Gruyere project east of Laverton, after conducting a scoping study which found it to be a robust, long life and large-tonnage gold project.

The state government is planning to cap taxi payment fees at 5 per cent, which could cost the sector’s dominant player, Cabcharge, about $4 million a year.

Sirius Resources has chopped $30 million off the cost of developing its Nova nickel project after getting final prices from contractors, including Barminco, which started work at the remote site east of Norseman this week.

Mining giant BHP Billiton has committed $10 million to the development of an interactive water park at Elizabeth Quay.

Three aspiring gold miners have announced an increase in projected free cash flow for their respective projects as a result of the strong gold price, coupled with falling fuel costs.

Perth-based Doray Minerals has confirmed solid growth in gold production and disclosed lower costs in the December quarter, as it moves toward completing its takeover of Mutiny Gold.

Former Coles boss Ian McLeod will leave parent company Wesfarmers to accept a post in the United States.

Mining and civil engineering contractor Maca has downgraded its full-year revenue guidance by $30 million after Sydney-based miner Arrium said it was closing one of its South Australian mines.

Australians are continuing to buy new homes, suggesting home building will remain a shining light of the economy into 2015.

Australians with private health insurance could be hit with premium increases of up to 7 per cent from April 1.

Macmahon Holdings boss Ross Carroll, who was one of the highest paid chief executives in Western Australia's contracting sector, has resigned with immediate effect, as the company increases its focus on cost cutting.

Shares in Nedlands-based waste management company Tox Free Solutions were higher this morning after it flagged a first-half profit upgrade.

Australia's biggest workforce provider, Skilled Group, has rejected a takeover offer from rival Programmed Maintenance Services, saying it undervalues the company.

Troubled iron ore miner Pluton Resources has been restricted from issuing a reduced content prospectus until next year because it failed to comply with reporting and disclosure obligations, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission says.

Mid-tier nickel miners Western Areas and Mincor Resources have released positive quarterly results on the back of lower costs and improved production, with Mincor also defying the industry trend by saying it would increase its exploration spending.

A worker has died in an accident at Consolidated Minerals' Woodie Woodie manganese mine in the Pilbara.