Michael Ramsey

Fortescue Metals Group has assumed "full operational responsibility" at its Christmas Creek mine after two fatalities in less than five months, announcing it has purchased the mine's ore processing facilities from Mineral Resources subsidiary Crushing Services International.

MZI Resources has signed an off-take agreement with major shareholder Tricoastal for the purchase of all zircon concentrate produced at its Keysbrook mineral sands project over a five-year period.

Mirabela Nickel chairman Geoff Handley and directors Colin Steyn and Peter Nicholson have all resigned from the board of the embattled company, which remains in a trading freeze as it works to restructure its $US454 million of debt.

The New York Times has ranked Perth number nine on a list of 52 places to visit in 2014, praising the city's new range of restaurants and small bars and the "up-and-coming neighborhoods" of Northbridge and Mount Lawley.

Gindalbie Metals has announced the appointment of former Oakajee Port & Rail executive Wayne Zekulich as its new chief financial officer.

Southern Cross Electrical Engineering has bolstered its order book, securing electrical and instrumentation works worth more than $10 million at Rio Tinto's Nammuldi below water table project.

A peak industry group has called on the federal government to lift Australia's immigration intake by 15 per cent in order to address skills shortages in a number of professions.

Rox Resources shares have soared after the minerals explorer announced new nickel sulphide discoveries at its Fisher East project in the Goldfields.

Shares in oil and gas junior Neon Energy have been smashed on the ASX after the company said development at one of its exploration wells was unlikely due to poor test results.

OM Holdings chief executive Peter Toth has announced his resignation from the role in order to take up a senior posting with an unnamed multinational resources group.

Central Norseman Gold Corporation has made 33 staff redundant as Australia's longest continuously-running gold mining operation faces an uncertain future.

Forge Group has entered a trading halt as it prepares to update the market on its financial position after announcing a $127 million profit writedown late last year.

Southern Cross Electrical Engineering has been awarded a $40 million electrical and instrumentation contract at Rio Tinto's Cape Lambert Port B project in the Pilbara and says it is in negotiations with the mining giant to secure further works at the project.

Government contractor Serco says there is no evidence to support claims it inflated transport costs for prisoners attending funeral services in regional Western Australia by as much as 830 per cent.

Perth-based mining intelligence provider IntierraRMG has been acquired by American financial information firm SNL, with plans to integrate the companies' databases into a one-stop source of comprehensive information for the global mining industry.

Saracen Mineral Holdings has exceeded its production guidance for the third consecutive quarter and says it is on track to produce more gold for the financial year than initially forecast.

Red Mountain Mining's impressive share performance has continued, with the gold explorer's stock almost eight times higher than its closing price at the beginning of this week.

Shares in vanadium and iron ore miner Atlantic have closed higher on the back of stronger monthly ferrovanadium production at the company's Windimurra project in the state's Mid West.

A state government plan to encourage employers to relocate from the central business district to suburban activity centres has made little progress, exacerbating the congestion on Perth roads.

Shares in Subiaco-based explorer Syndicated Metals are higher on the back of what it describes as highly encouraging drilling results at its flagship Barbara copper-gold project in northern Queensland.

South Africa-focused miner Continental Coal says it could be forced to call in administrators unless it can recapitalise the company in order to pay off its convertible notes.

West Perth-based Beadell Resources has recorded its highest ever gold production and sales at its Tucano mine in Brazil, with plant and equipment upgrades paying dividends for the company.

Northern Star Resources expects to almost double its annual gold production to more than 200,000 ounces following its $25 million purchase of the Plutonic gold mine from Barrick Gold.

Subiaco-based Paringa Resources has tasked a new leadership team with guiding the company, with founding directors David Griffiths and David Chapman stepping down from their respective roles as chairman and managing director.

Shares in West Perth-based explorer Red Mountain Mining have soared on the back of another high-grade gold discovery at its Batangas project in the Philippines.

Contractor Viento Group plans to broaden its range of services with the purchase of Hazelmere-based switchroom manufacturer HVLV in a prospective deal worth up to $21 million.

Forge Group shares have recovered ground following a horror month of trading, with the contractor announcing it has been given the green light to proceed with $830 million of engineering works at the Roy Hill iron ore project.

The Department of Mines and Petroleum has warned Fortescue Metals Group to improve safety procedures at its Christmas Creek mine in the wake of a second fatality at the site last month.

A subcontractor truck driver has been killed in an incident at CBH Group's Kwinana grain terminal.

Trident Subsea Cable has enlisted contractor Ausdrill to help it build a fibre optic telecommunications network between Perth and the Pilbara.

Empire Oil & Gas' new management team has taken the company's former directors to court in a bid to recover funds used to bankroll defamation proceedings against Empire shareholders.

Centaurus Metals has scaled back development plans at its Jambreiro iron ore project in Brazil, announcing it will halve its initial production rate to one million tonnes per annum in a bid to keep the project on track.