Mining

Pilbara Minerals has moved closer to gaining control of Altura Mining’s key asset after striking a $US175 million agreement with the lithium miner’s receivers and managers.

Perth-based Hot Chili has arranged a $25.6 million private placement to fund the payment of its recent copper-gold project acquisition.

Perth-based Sandfire Resources is spending $371 million to develop a copper-silver mine in Botswana, with production expected in early 2023.

Chalice Gold Mines has launched a mega capital raising to boost exploration activities at its high-grade Julimar project in Western Australia.

Galaxy Resources, Pilbara Minerals and Altura Mining will receive a 50 per cent rebate on royalties paid, due to the declining spodumene concentrate price.

Tyranna Resources has sold a gold project in South Australia for $3 million, while fellow Perth-based explorer Hannans is purchasing assets in Western Australia.

Platina Resources will ramp-up its exploration efforts in Western Australia using the sale proceeds from its Skaergaard gold and palladium project in Greenland.

Chemical producer Coogee and corporate advisory firm Lisle Group have joined more than a dozen mining and engineering firms on a state government taskforce targeting future battery industries.

Investment prospects for gold remain strong, with the potential for Australian production to exceed the record 326 tonnes set in 2019.

Azure Minerals has raised funds to continue exploring its Andover nickel-copper project in the Pilbara, as well as begin its search for gold.

Upcoming producer GWR Group has secured access to a port storage facility in Geraldton to export iron ore from its Wiluna West operations.

Technology Metals is raising $8 million from a share placement, which will go towards a feasibility study for its Yarrabubba iron-vanadium project in Western Australia.

WA Kaolin has had a positive start to its first day of trading after raising $22 million from its initial public offering, with its share price closing up 25 per cent.

The spinout company of Cassini Resources has begun its first day of trading, with its share price more than doubling to 46 cents.

Perth-based Greenland Minerals has launched a $33 million capital raising to fund the development of its flagship rare earths project.

China’s Shandong Gold has matched a new bid to buy out takeover target Cardinal Resources, having offered to pay $1.05 per company share.

Perth-based lithium miner Galaxy Resources has sought up to $161 million to fund the first stage of its Sal de Vida development in Argentina.

South32 has agreed to sell a package of mining royalties to a Canadian business for $US55 million ($A75 million) in cash and shares.

Australian iron ore exports reached a record high of $10.9 billion in October, most of which was destined for China.

A Ghanaian business has joined the battle to buy out Perth-based Cardinal Resources, topping previous bids for the gold explorer with a new cash offer of $1.05 per share.

NRW Holdings is seeking its fifth acquisition after announcing a $100 million off-market takeover of fellow Perth-based contractor Primero Group.

Perth-based Suvo Strategic Minerals is purchasing kaolin operations in Victoria for $2 million, while fellow miner WA Kaolin is getting ready for its ASX debut.

Southern Cross Electrical Engineering has secured the electrical and instrumentation works at Rio Tinto’s new iron ore mine in the Pilbara.

Atlas Iron more than doubled its earnings this past financial year to $510 million, helped by increased production and a strong iron ore price.

Native title processes were the longest delay for WA mining exploration licence approvals in the September quarter, representing more than half of an average 233 day wait.

OM Holdings has raised its stake in a manganese project, two days after joint venture partner Bryah Resources received a $5 million cash offer for its interest in the asset.

West Aussies had a huge boost in purchasing power in the year to June, and the state’s economy grew despite a small national drop.

Investors are already factoring in the opportunities a COVID-19 vaccine will deliver.

Mineral Resources has mapped out ambitious growth plans that would see the company producing more than 90 million tonnes of iron ore per year.

Metal Hawk’s share price closed up 30 per cent on its first day of trading, while fellow gold explorer Medallion Metals has sought an ASX listing before Christmas.

ASX-listed Dynamic Drill and Blast has secured work on gold and iron ore projects in Western Australia under two subcontracts, with Pilbara Resource Group and Carey Mining.

Ardea Resources has signed a farm-in deal with goldminer Red 5, which will spend up to $2.3 million to explore two projects in Western Australia.