Tayler Neale

Melbourne-based Nacap Australia has won the contract to build a 200-kilometre gas pipeline to Gold Road Resources' Gruyere project near Laverton, and is pursuing other significant projects in Western Australia.

Perth-based gold explorer Tietto Minerals got off to a solid start in trading today after raising $6 million in its initial public offering.

Critics of sandalwood company Quintis, who are already calling for a spill of current directors, are now pushing to replace the responsible entity overseeing its 2002 project.

Local contractor EC&M has announced it has been awarded a series of contracts with a combined value of approximately $130 million, including a joint venture project in New South Wales with West Perth-based CPC Engineering.

Saracen Mineral Holdings says it is on track for its 2018 financial year production target after announcing solid gold output for the December quarter, while also signing a deal to sell its Wallbrook project near Kalgoorlie.

ASX-listed tech business Dreamscape Networks has entered into an agreement to acquire Gold Coast-based web hosting company Quadra Hosting for $2.5 million in cash.

The state government will determine the extent of a cap on crowd attendance at Optus Stadium for a potential Big Bash League semi-final after this weekend’s community day, which will help it determine the capacity of public transport to move big crowds to and from the 60,000-seat stadium.

UPDATED: Australian startups will now be able to raise capital via crowdfunding sources after the corporate watchdog today approved the first batch of licences allowing companies to act as intermediaries in the process.

The International Cricket Council has given a glowing report on the soon-to-be-opened Optus Stadium, while approving all international fixtures to be played at the venue.

The board of Finders Resources remains firm on its rejection of a hostile takeover bid from Indonesian group Eastern Field Developments, after the major shareholder questioned the company’s supplementary target’s statement.

Melbourne-based Crocmedia, which is merging with a listed company backed by Perth investment group Viburnum Funds, has been announced as the radio partner of Optus Stadium for the next five years.

Melbourne-based shell company Public Holdings (Australia) is set to move into gold exploration after striking a deal to acquire a group of Western Australian gold tenements from prospector Denis O’Meara, while also announcing plans for a $7.5 million capital raising.

Indonesian group Eastern Field Developments has extended the offer period for its hostile 23-cents-a-share bid for Finders Resources, while also raising a number of concerns with the copper miner’s supplementary target statement.

Perth-based BCI Minerals has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Chinese steel producer Sinosteel to assess potential development of BCI’s Buckland project in the Pilbara.

James Cullen has emerged as the major shareholder at new listing Babylon Pump & Power, which is led by Michael Shelby, formerly general manager at Mr Cullen’s former company Resource Equipment.

Perth-founded online design company Canva has raised $US40 million ($50 million) from private investors as it continues to expand on a global scale.

Rising cost of energy bites hard

The private owner of Port Hedland International Airport has outlined plans for a $40 million redevelopment of the facility over the next five years.

Local engineering and construction group Valmec has announced it will purchase Henderson-based specialist pipeline testing company APTS, which was recently put into receivership.

Yowie chairman vows sweeter times ahead

Western Australian indigenous business Carey Training has been awarded a $2.5 million training contract with the Malaysian Institute of Technology Academy based in Kuala Lumpur for the next three years.

Blackham secures two-week reprieve

The state government has today approved Sinosteel Midwest Corporation’s iron ore expansion project east of Geraldton, while simultaneously rejecting Mineral Resource’s planned iron ore mines in the Helena-Aurora Range, after the environmental watchdog had recommended both should be blocked.

Sydney-based oil and gas company AWE has backed a revised $526 million takeover offer from Mineral Resources as the Perth-based mining outfit seeks to gain control of the Waitsia gas field in the Perth Basin.

MMA Offshore chairman Andrew Edwards has defended the timing of the company’s recent $97 million capital raising at its annual meeting today, saying the oil and gas firm needed a solution to its debt problems.

Base Resources has announced that it will purchase a mineral sands project in Madagascar for $US75 million ($100 million) and tap investors for $100 million to fund the acquisition.

Volt Power Group has announced it will purchase a stake in two Western Australian mining services businesses for more than $6 million, while also raising $4.75 million through a share placement.

MMA Offshore major shareholder Halom Investments has withdrawn its annual meeting resolution to remove the oil and gas company’s managing director Jeff Weber one day before the meeting.

Quintis chairman Dalton Gooding has come under fire from company founder and former chief executive Frank Wilson and other shareholders at a heated annual meeting today.

Listed real estate firm Agency Group Australia, formerly Ausnet Financial Services, has acquired three arms of struggling tech company Servtech Global Holdings for less than $1 million, while also announcing a $3 million capital raising.

Perth-based CITIC Pacific Mining has hit its 2017 production target of 15 million tonnes of magnetite concentrate at its Sino Iron project in the Pilbara, while also releasing a study that shows spending of $51 billion in Western Australia over the next 40 years.

Western Australia’s adverse population trends have continued in the 12 months to June, with overall growth of just 0.8 per cent while less people are coming from interstate and overseas.