Rebecca Lawson

Pilbara miner Atlas Iron has signed two new offtake deals with Chinese steel mills covering a further 50 per cent of iron ore from its Pardoo project.

Some 110 employees at integrated pallet manufacturer Pinetec will be given the option of casual work as the receivers continue sale discussions with an interested party.

BHP Billiton has sold its interest in two oil fields, near the Van Gogh oil field off the coast of Western Australia, to Japan's Inpex and Apache Energy.

Shares in Mirabela Nickel have been placed in a trading halt as the company prepares for a $US95 million ($A145 million) capital raising.

Perth businessman Robert Nash, through his company Golden Stallion Resources, is set to buy the Minjar gold asset from collapsed company Monarch Gold Mining for some $13 million.

Some seven months after he was appointed to the helm of Golden West Resources, chief executive David Rose will step down as the company seeks to conserve cash.

Rio Tinto has pulled out of a uranium joint venture with West Perth-based Zambezi Resources, in what is the minnow's second blow this week.

Western Australia Labor Senator Glenn Sterle has confirmed he has "annoyed the living daylights" out of Alannah MacTiernan in his bid to persuade the state Labor MP to move to federal politics.

The federal opposition wants to change the definition of small business in a bid to help shield smaller firms from the "worst" of the government's unfair dismissal laws.

Chinese company, East China Exploration, is set to take a 25 per cent in Perth-based Arafura Resources after subscribing to $24 million worth of shares at a significant premium.

Western Australia's spike in unemployment to a two-year high has one business lobby group urging federal MPs to carefully consider the government's proposed Fair Work Bill ahead of next week's vote.

Sydney-based Jupiter Mines will relocate to Perth to be closer to its asset base while Geoff Wedlock has been appointed executive chairman.

BUSINESSES nation-wide are waiting on the Liberal Party to formally announce its position on the federal government's industrial relations legislation, which moved to the Senate this week.

WITH the sixth anniversary of his chairmanship at Paladin Energy quickly approaching, Rick Crabb says it's a "good business to be in at the moment".

US oil giant Chevron says it expects to "sanction" the Gorgon liquefied natural gas project during the second half of this year.

The Perth city council has unanimously supported plans to open some of the city's major roads to two-way traffic under a five-year plan following a council meeting held last night.

Australian stocks opened stronger after gains of almost six per cent on Wall Street overnight, leading to advances in the financial and resources sectors locally.

Golden West Resources says it is not seriously considering iron ore offtake offers it has received from China, Korea and Japan as it waits to get "visibility" on port and rail infrastructure before pursuing an arrangement.

Coal baron Ken Talbot will increase his holding in Sundance Resources to 22 per cent after purchasing $5 million worth of shares in the iron ore explorer.

The Perth City Council will decide tonight whether to go ahead with a proposal to open some of the city's major roads, including Hay Street and Murray Street, to two-way traffic.

Miner Jabiru Metals has paid down $US15.5 million ($A24 million) of its bank debt after closing out part of its hedge book while its Jaguar copper and zinc mine achieves record monthly production.

Perth-based junior Iron Mountain Mining has proposed an off-market takeover for Terrain Minerals in a deal valued at nearly $2 million.

Shares in Quickstep Holdings have jumped as it secures an agency deal to promote sales in the Middle East and a $10 million convertible loan agreement.

The state government says it is happy to facilitate discussions to help find an alternative site for Pankaj Oswal's $1.5 billion solar energy plant after it was reported the Indian billionaire has approached a South Australian council.

Kalahari Minerals has withdrawn legal proceedings against Extract Resources following a unanimous agreement to appoint a new chairman and the resignation of two directors.

Chinese steel maker Hunan Valin Iron and Steel Group Company is set to increase its stake to 17.4 per cent in Fortescue Metals Group by subscribing for a further $87 million in shares.

Acceptance of Sinosteel Corporation's takeover offer for Midwest Corporation has kept Murchison Metals' net profit after tax in the black at $17.5 million.

The Brian Gilbertson-led Pallinghurst Resources and associated company Red Rock Resources is set to take control of Jupiter Mines, which holds several exploration tenements in Western Australia, following shareholder approval.

The takeover battle for Incremental Petroleum has closed with Texas-based suitor TransAtlantic Petroleum moving to compulsorily acquire the remaining shares.

Mirabela Nickel will need to raise less equity after securing a further $US40 million towards its $US150 million debt facility.

First home buyers in Western Australia are favouring houses over units or apartments as historically low interest rates proved too good an opportunity to pass, a new survey has found.

Shareholders have approved a restructure for embattled ticketing company ERG which will change its name to Videlli.