Fraser Beattie

Silver Lake Resources has flagged more job losses in July with the announcement that it plans to close its Lakewood facility in Kalgoorlie, which is the company’s second plant to shut down this year.

Western Australia-based Southern Cross Electrical Engineering has won a $25 million contract with BHP Billiton Iron Ore for electrical and instrumentation works at the Yarnima power station near Newman.

Doray Minerals’ founding directors Allan Kelly and Heath Hellewell have won the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies’ prospector of the year award for 2014.

Exploration firm Red River Resources has seen its share price jump by over 80 per cent after it entered into a $6.5 million agreement with the administrators of collapsed explorer Kagara, for the sale of its projects in northern Queensland.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry has announced plans to educate new recruits from the indigenous community in a new federal government program based on the GenerationOne employment model.

Perth-based technology firm Diverse IT has acquired the privately held cloud services provider Red Ember Solutions for an undisclosed amount.

Rare earths miner Lynas Corporation had warned of job cuts as it plans to relocate its head office from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur.

Perth nickel miner Western Areas has made a $95 million repayment of convertible bond debt from its existing cash reserves, with a $125 million bond repayment still remaining.

Woodside has discovered a substantial amount of gas at its Toro-1 exploration well about 150 km north of Exmouth.

A convoy of truck drivers headed by WAFarmers and the Wheatbelt Railway Retention Alliance drove through parts of Perth today to demonstrate their opposition to the closure of the Tier 3 rail lines.

The share price of Perth industrial parts and services provider Coventry Group has risen 14 per cent following the announcement of a $21 million return to shareholder

Nedlands-based TFS Corporation has announced the purchase of an established Indian sandalwood plantation, with the purchase expected to boost its net profit as a result of a revaluation of the trees.

Fremantle-based firm Carnegie Wave Energy has been awarded an $11 million federal government grant to support its next CETO power wave project.

The Environmental Protection Authority has denied the City of Armadale’s proposal to build a road through high value natural bushland after declaring it environmentally unacceptable.

Perth-headquartered education provider Navitas has extended its business partnership with the Central Institute of Technology with a new agreement to provide English language courses for overseas students.

Rey Resources has entered into an agreement to raise $3 million which will fund a new well in the perth basin, as AWE also this week commenced drilling a new well in the same region.

Brierty has been awarded a $45 million contract by Main Roads WA for the upgrade of Great Northern Highway.

Perth-raised Cash Converters International has finalised the acquisition of three franchised stores in Queensland.

The latest round of national research grants has once again highlighted the University of Western Australia as the state’s leading research institution, with Curtin University of Technology following close behind.

Today marks 100 years since a collective of farmers registered an entity called The Westralian Farmers Ltd in Perth.

Atlas Pearls and Perfumes has said yesterday’s auction in Kobe was it’s most successful auction to date, selling $2.5 million worth of south sea pearls.

Iron Ore Holdings has executed lease agreements with the Dampier Port Authority for the development of a port facility at Cape Preston East.

OTOC Australia has been awarded a $3 million contract with NRW for the mine process plant in-ground services at the Roy Hill iron ore project in the Pilbara.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has released its draft decision to accept CBH’s proposal to replace its existing port access undertaking, which gives the company the option to enter into long term agreements with exporters who use its port services.

Perth exploration firm Mirabela Nickel has confirmed it has left the hands of administrators and has appointed a new chief executive officer.

Applecross-based Kerman Contracting has won a $67 million deal for the design and construction of a grain export facility for Quattro Ports, a joint venture between Qube Holdings, Noble Group, Cargill Australia and Emerald Grain.

Sino Gas & Energy Holdings has signed a term sheet with Macquarie Bank for a US$50 million loan, which will be used to support its joint venture entity’s working interests in the Linxing and Sanjiaobei production sharing contracts at the Ordos Basin in China.

Auditor general Colin Murphy tabled a report in parliament today that showed that while the royalties for regions program had provided substantial infrastructure and services to regional Western Australia, it is still unclear whether they are delivering their intended outcomes.

Gold producer Northern Star Resources said today it expects to lift 2015 production to 600,000 ounces, at the top end of its guidance range, after it more than doubled the resource at its Pegasus deposit at the Kundana mine.

From Irish backpacker to managing a national construction services business in just six years, 30 year old Declan White’s Monford Group was named the 2014 Telstra Western Australia business of the year.

Cradle Resources has tapped the investors to raise $3.6 million, while also receiving the first $US5 million tranche of payment as part of its divestment of a 50 per cent stake in its Panda Hill niobium project in Tanzania to Tremont Investments.

Perth exploration firm Hannans Reward has entered into a joint venture agreement with Reed Resources for 20 per cent interest in its Lake Johnston nickel sulphide project west of Norseman.