Isabel Vieira

Perth-based explorer St George Mining has pivoted its focus from nickel and lithium exploration in WA to targeting niobium in Brazil in response to market conditions.

Lithium linchpin Ken Brinsden says he would introduce the equivalent of the wheat desk for critical minerals to aid the flailing industry.

Chris Ellison-helmed Mineral Resources will reportedly shed 100 white-collar jobs from its Perth headquarters due to the Yilgarn hub shutdown.

Pilbara Minerals hasn't ruled out diversifying into other commodities, but Dale Henderson says he doesn't see the producer stepping outside lithium anytime soon.

IGO boss Ivan Vella is working through the "difficult process" of redundancies after two of its nickel mines were put on ice, but spruiks there is still life left in Cosmos.

Liontown Resources chief Tony Ottaviano says current lithium prices warranted royalty relief from the government to help buffer the immature market.

Gold miners have returned to the fore at the Diggers and Dealers conference in Kalgoorlie, as the Australian gold price recently reached a new peak.

Lynas Rare Earths' Amanda Lacaze says the critical minerals sector needs improved shared infrastructure to be competitive with China's dominant rare earths industry.

Northern Star Resources boss Stuart Tonkin says there's decades of mine life left in the famed Golden Mile, as it further develops its underground assets.

The lithium price downturn doesn't faze Pilbara Minerals, according to its chief executive, as the miner officially opens its latest expansion project amid market volatility.

Iron ore major Fortescue has appointed Indigenous leader, lawyer and activist Noel Pearson to its board as a non-executive director.

Hasting Technology Metals has spruiked the potential of another critical mineral from its under-construction Yangibana rare earths project.

US-based Albemarle will shut down parts of its Kemerton lithium hydroxide operation, a move that impacts 300 local jobs and contractor Monadelphous.

Mercedes Construction, a commercial builder which claims to be linked to luxury Perth home builder Zorzi Builders, has brought in an administrator.

Mining heavyweight Rio Tinto has posted a $US5.8 billion half-year profit, but its iron ore earnings took a hit partly due to the automatous train collision in May.

Battery metals miner Liontown Resources has transitioned from developer to producer after announcing first spodumene concentrate at Kathleen Valley today.

Regional airline Rex and its subsidiaries have entered voluntary administration, with EY appointed to run through its books, with more than 600 jobs impacted.

Nicheliving's building registration renewal has been refused due to financial concerns, as more than 230 homes sit incomplete across the state.

Chalice Mining says there's no need to raise capital in the foreseeable future as it continues to tighten expenditure amid market conditions.

IGO will shortly transition its Forrestania operation into care and maintenance as it nears the end of its mine life, while also flagging job cuts from its exploration and corporate teams.

Experienced property executive Dean Mudford has been appointed to the helm of DevelopmentWA for a five-year term.

Alliance Nickel has ambitious plans to start producing from its NiWest battery metals project around the same time BHP Nickel West hopes to restart its operations in 2027.

Liontown Resources' Kathleen Valley lithium project is on the cusp of first production, with construction more than 95 per cent complete at the northern Goldfields site.

Shares in Bellevue Gold have crumbled more than 20 per cent after the market recoiled in response to its $150 million placement and soft production outlook.

Mineral Resources has benefited from higher lithium prices across its battery metals operations but is still holding back until market conditions improve.

A consultancy firm says it has partnered with Nicheliving to "rebuild public trust" for the home building brand amid heightened scrutiny.

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart has upped her stake in Lynas Rare Earths, with her foothold in the critical minerals player now worth $404 million.

A class action lawsuit against three BGC Housing Group companies has commenced in the Supreme Court of WA on behalf of thousands of aggrieved homeowners.

Bellevue Gold is tapping investors for more than $175 million to help pay down half of its debt, while announcing a five-year growth plan to accelerate exploration.

Gina Rinehart-backed Arafura Rare Earths has launched a $20 million placement, as it continues preparations for a $1.2 billion raising needed to fund its flagship project.

First Quantum Minerals has slashed its nickel production guidance following its decision to mothball its Ravensthorpe operation earlier this year amid market turmoil.

Record production volumes has aided Pilbara Minerals' quarterly revenue, alongside a small bump in prices for the battery metal.