Deals

Diversified junior explorer Reed Resources has announced a discounted $40 million capital raising to fund the purchase of the recently acquired Meekatharra gold project.

Westgold Resources has announced it seeks to snap up the remaining shares it does not already own in Aragon Resources, to create a mid-tier mining house with potential annual gold production of 200,000 ounces.

Kresta Holdings chairman Ian Trahar has launched a $47 million cash takeover bid to take full control over the warring window coverings manufacturer.

Venturex Resources says it will raise $36.8 million to acquire the Panorama copper and zinc mine in the Pilbara from CBH Resources.

Perth-based Empire Beer Group has moved to bolster its financial position, launching a $1 million capital raising.

The financier for Moly Mines' Spinifex Ridge molybdenum project in the Pilbara says it is still committed to the project, despite delays in securing project approval.

A one-time labour recruitment company chaired by Lyndon Rowe is being used by Wizard Home Loans founder Mark Bouris for a back-door listing of his new venture on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Atlas Iron will take control of all Giralia Resources shares in an exclusive off-market takeover bid announced today, valuing the junior miner at $828 million.

Global education provider Navitas has completed a $100 million placement to fund the $289 million acquisition of media technology institute SAE Group.

Indian infrastructure group Lanco Infratech has emerged as the winning bidder for the Collie coal business of Ric Stowe's failed Griffin coal and power empire.

Global education service provider Navitas has reached an agreement to purchase media technology training institute SAE for $289 million.

Sandfire Resources has completed the retail component of its $103 million equity raising announced in November, with a total of $37 million raised from participating and eligible retail shareholders.

After months of speculation Qantas has confirmed it has taken over regional airline Network Aviation to move into the fly-in-fly-out air charter market in a deal believed to be valued at more than $30 million.

Bulk minerals explorer Sheffield Resources has closed its $7 million initial public offer a week early after it was substantially oversubscribed.

Property developer Finbar Group has announced plans to raise $45.6 million via a placement and share purchase plan to step up development activity on its Karratha project and continue to bolster its Perth project pipeline.

Gold Road Resources has completed a $9 million share placement to professional and sophisticated investors, which will be used to fund exploration and evaluation of its Yamarna project east of Laverton.

Rio Tinto has bolstered its links with China, with the announcements today of an extension of its Pilbara joint venture with SinoSteel and an Asia-based minerals exploration joint venture with Chinalco.

The Chinese majority owner of Moly Mines, Hanlong Mining Investment, has received Chinese government approval for a $US466 million loan to complete financing for the Spinifex Ridge molybdenum-copper project in the Pilbara.

Equinox Minerals has declared its $1.25 billion takeover offer for Citadel Resource Group free of all defeating conditions if it receives an interest in Citadel shares of more than 50 per cent by December 16.

The state's largest independent fuel company, Gull Petroleum, has been acquired by Archer Capital-backed Ausfuel for an undisclosed sum.

Breakaway Resources has announced plans to raise $3.5 million via a share purchase plan to underpin new drilling and exploration programs at its flagship nickel sulphide projects in WA and copper projects in Queensland.

Automotive Holdings Group has confirmed media reports that it is in discussions with other motoring firms about possible transactions.

South Korea's GS Engineering and Construction says it has won a $2.96 billion order to build Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers Collie urea fertiliser plant.

Sphere Minerals has changed its board after a takeover offer by Xstrata became unconditional.

Shareholders in Empire Beer could soon find themselves the owners of car park technology company Meter Eye after Empire announced plans to acquire the New Zealand-based company for an undisclosed amount.

Hong Kong listed Wah Nam International has launched a conditional off market takeover offer for emerging iron ore producers Brockman Resources and FerrAus valued at about $1.2 billion.

Shares in Austal closed up more than 15 per cent, after the shipbuilder agreed to changes to its US Navy contract to build 10 coastal warships.

A Chinese consortium trying to win support for a deal with iron ore developer Sphere Minerals claims that a majority of Sphere shareholders will reject an alternative takeover proposal from Xstrata.

West Perth-based Bass Metals has announced it has raised $3.55 million through a placement to European institutional investors.

Gold miner Kingsgate Consolidated has launched a friendly $376 million takeover bid for West Perth-based Dominion Mining.

Quickstep has signed an agreement to allow US-based Vector Resources to use the company's patented Quickstep Process for advanced composites manufacturing.

Chinese-controlled Perth miner Perilya has unveiled a friendly $186 million takeover of Canadian copper miner GlobeStar Mining Corporation that will see the base metals producer spread its wings to the Caribbean and Canada.