Mining

Western Australia’s planned new laws to accelerate major project approvals would be a good model for other states and should be passed through state parliament quickly, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said today.

Gold explorer Vango Mining has launched a $15 million share placement to fund upcoming drill programs at its flagship Marymia project in Western Australia.

Salt Lake Potash has moved into the construction stage for its Lake Way project in Western Australia's Goldfields after signing two contracts with GR Engineering Services, worth a combined $107 million.

The London-based exchange that sets standards for the global gold industry has commenced a review of The Perth Mint following reports the WA government-owned business was buying gold from unethical miners.

Explorers Kin Mining, Mindax and Bryah Resources have each launched capital raisings today, with the majority of the proceeds to advance drill programs in Western Australia, while Chile-focused Tesoro Resources is seeking funds to advance its El Zorro gold project.

Gold miner Saracen Mineral Holdings has been added to the S&P/ASX 100 stock index, reflecting strong growth in the company’s market value this year, while Seven West Media’s steep slide has see

The big iron ore miners exporting out of Port Hedland will have to pay up to $220 million to property owners in the town’s West End, under a buy-back scheme announced by the state government today.

BHP said today it would not disturb 40 Aboriginal heritage sites in the Pilbara until it has consulted with the native title holders, just weeks after gaining government approval to clear the sites.

Piedmont Lithium has launched a $29 million capital raising to advance its namesake project in the US, while Arafura Resources and Vimy Resources are raising funds to develop rare earth and uranium projects in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Southern Cross Electrical Engineering is still pursuing a claim for $11 million from Decmil in relation to a subcontract, saying today that an adjudication last week requiring Decmil to pay just $152,657 was only a preliminary ruling.

UPDATED: The Perth Mint has launched a review of its audit practices after reports the WA government-owned gold refiner failed to apply appropriate checks on its customers, notably unethical gold miners in Papua New Guinea.

Metals X has signed a $32 million farm-in and joint venture agreement with IGO, which will explore the company’s copper operations in the Paterson province, while also announcing the potential restart of its Nifty operations.

A report backed by the Pilbara’s big miners has found that iron ore exports are expected to grow modestly over the coming decade, well below the extra port capacity the miners themselves are seekin

Peel Mining has sold a 19 per cent stake in Saturn Metals, worth $7 million, and is no longer the major shareholder.

Property group Pindan has secured a $3.4 million contract for work on Fortescue Metals Group’s Iron Bridge magnetite project in the Pilbara.

EHR Resources has signed a strategic alliance with a privately owned company focused on diamond exploration in Botswana, marking its third diamond deal in three months.

Musgrave Minerals traded up to 54 per cent higher today after posting recent drill results for its flagship Cue gold project in Western Australia.

Black Rock Mining has entered into a strategic alliance agreement with South Korean industrial company Posco to develop its flagship graphite project in Tanzania.

Iron ore miner Vale has been ordered by a Brazilian court to shut down one of its mining hubs to help address the spread of COVID-19, adding to a string of supply disruptions that have bolstered the commodity’s price.

Private civil contractor Whittens has secured a $14.4 million construction contract for work associated with Roy Hill Holding's iron ore mine in the East Pilbara.

Albemarle Corporation could have the whip hand in a further consolidation of Western Australia’s lithium industry, as its partner in the Greenbushes mine, Tianqi Lithium, seeks to sell a stake in its Kwinana refinery and/or the mine itself.

Northern Minerals managing director George Bauk has resigned from the role after 10 years, with the West Perth-based company now on the hunt for a new leader ahead of a planned restart of its Browns Range operations.

Legend Mining has launched a $20 million share placement to progress its nickel-copper project in the Fraser Range, while fellow Western Australian explorers Auroch Minerals and Xantippe Resources have also announced capital raisings.

Mining contractor Macmahon Holdings has secured $700 million in work with Byerwen Coal for services at the company’s mine in Queensland.

Subiaco-based Peninsula Energy is raising $40.3 million under a heavily discounted rights issue to help repay its existing term debt and advance its flagship uranium project in the US.

Aboriginal-owned business Mallard Deemy has secured $11 million in contracts with Fortescue Metals Group for work at the Eliwana iron ore mine in the Pilbara.

Subiaco-based Perseus Mining is set to gain control of a potential new gold project near its Sissingue mine after announcing a friendly takeover bid for Exore Resources in a scrip deal worth around $60 million.

Rio Tinto has committed to review its indigenous heritage approach and its plans in the Juukan area, near the Brockman mine, after the destruction of an ancient rock cave provoked national outrage; while community representatives have described their efforts leading up to the blast.

The Australian minerals sector has experienced a 20 per cent drop in exploration spending over the March quarter, with industry groups calling for more government support.

Mining services companies Mader Group and Lycopodium have downgraded their full-year earnings guidance, citing the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak on their operations.

Subiaco-based Black Cat Syndicate is set to acquire two gold projects from Silver Lake Resources in a deal worth around $5.2 million.

Veris’s technology and communications business has secured new work with BHP and Oz Minerals, as well as a contract with Cubic Defence Australia, totalling $4.3 million.