Deals

Subiaco-based Lucapa Diamonds raised $4 million from a placement of shares to grow cash flows at its Lulo Diamond Project in Angola.

Atrum Coal shares almost halved in price after the company announced a heavily discounted entitlement offer to raise $5 million.

Shareholders of internet services provider iiNet have overwhelmingly approved a proposed $1.6 billion takeover of the company by TPG Telecom.

Heron Resources has announced an equity funding package with London-based private equity fund Greenstone Resources of up to $20 million.

iiNet shareholders have shown their continued interest in the business, with a large number choosing to take TPG’s share offer rather than cash.

Local oil and gas explorer 88 Energy has received firm commitments for a $12 million capital raising to fund ongoing work at its Icewine project in Alaska.

The market appetite for backdoor listings of tech stocks continues unabated, with Magnolia Resources securing $7 million in funding commitments and Potash Minerals becoming the fifth exploration company from Western Australia to head down the tech path this month.

Atlas Iron managing director David Flanagan has described the results of the iron ore miner’s capital raising as an immense vote of confidence in the business, despite achieving just less than half of its $180 million target.

Mining services company Austin Engineering has launched a $31.6 million entitlement offer through broking firms Argonaut and Bell Potter, with the proceeds to be used to reduce debt.

Local company Prairie Mining has raised $15 million from UK-based CD Capital for the development of its Lublin coal project, with the potential for the private equity fund to invest a further $68 million.

The private equity group seeking control of Mungana Goldmines has lifted its takeover bid to 17 cents per share, above recent trading levels but below the valuations of the company’s independent expert.

RNI shareholders lodged a big protest today, with many voting against resolutions at a general meeting, which was held three days after the debt-laden gold company extended the timing of its $25 million entitlements offer for a second time.

HHG Legal Group has expanded its regional network, acquiring a practice in Mandurah to add to its offices in Albany and Mt Barker, and its main operation in West Perth.

Andrew Forrest’s private vehicle, Minderoo Group, has announced plans to invest up to $7.3 million in local miner Impact Minerals.

West Perth exploration company Leopard Resources has announced an agreement to acquire a Silicon Valley wireless technology business.

Bradken has sold its Bassendean engineering facility to Sydney property group Charter Hall in an off-market sale and leaseback deal worth about $32.8 million, while the Champion Drive Shopping Centre in Seville Grove has been sold for $13.5 million.

Perth exploration company BMG Resources (formerly Brazilian Metals Group) has announced a non-binding heads of agreement for the possible acquisition of Brisbane-based online fitness training accreditation business FitLink.

DVG Automotive Group managing director Lou Divirgilio has achieved a rare feat, selling a majority stake in his family business for $120.6 million, which equates to the kind of earnings multiple that only ASX companies normally attract.

Automotive Holdings Group had employed a consistent approach to buying and integrating dealerships over many years, long-serving director and head of business development Hamish Williams told Business News after his recent retirement.

Perth-based biotech company ResApp Health had a steady first day of trade on the ASX today, after being acquired by Narhex Life Sciences in an $11 million backdoor listing.

A group of Perth venture capitalists is backing plans by a local health scientist for an IPO of a new fitness-based business development, including a body-measuring app that is still on the drawing boards.

Local miner Metals X has reached an agreement with Northern Mining to acquire the Georges Reward gold project at Bulong in Western Australia for a cash sum of $4.5 million.

Talisman Mining has raised $8 million to fund ongoing work at its copper-gold and nickel projects.

Potash mining company Elemental Minerals has announced the completion of a $4.98 million private placement.

Perth-based gold miner Manas Resources has launched a $4.7 million capital raising plan to fund pre-development work at its Shambesai gold project in southern Kyrgyzstan.

Two local miners have announced plans to exit the resources industry and move into other fields, by way of backdoor listings.

Perth-based Zeta Petroleum will acquire a substantial shareholding in oil explorer Oilex, when the company completes a planned $US23 million ($A30 million) capital raising.

Local aquaculture firm Seafarms Group has announced plans to raise up to $16.6 million, with major shareholders Ian Trahar and Paul Favretto committing to a large portion of the raising.

South Australian construction and engineering company Ahrens has acquired Savannah Engineers for an undisclosed sum, expanding its existing Pilbara presence.

Automotive Holdings Group has bought all three Mercedes-Benz dealerships in Perth from Western Pacific Automotive for a combined $58 million.

Upwards of 130 corporate finance transactions worth more than $11 billion were announced in WA in the June quarter, but most notable was a handful of landmark M&A deals.

Brokerage firm Euroz is expanding its funds management offering, with the acquisition of Perth-based Entrust Private Wealth Management for around $7.8 million.