Mining

Perth-based minerals explorer Rift Valley Resources has signed a deal to wholly acquire the Mtemi Resources Group of Companies after completing a $4 million capital raising.

The state government has fast-tracked legislation into parliament to curb excessive rate rises on some tenements in the mining and petroleum sectors.

Resource Development Group managing director Jeff Brill has stepped down from his executive role as the mining services group looks to cut costs.

Subiaco-based minerals explorer TNG has signed an offtake agreement for vanadium from its flagship Mount Peake vanadium-titanium-iron project in the Northern Territory with South Korean-based Woojin.

Oil and gas modelling software provider Stochastic Simulation has entered into a $5 million deal to acquire modelling technology from Predrill Stresses International.

Atlas Iron non-executive director David Hannon has resigned from the company's board with immediate effect to focus on family matters, with the company yet to announce a replacement.

Australia’s biggest and lowest cost iron ore producer has hit back at claims it has flooded the market with supply, with Rio Tinto pointing the finger at its big Australian competitors.

Sino Gas and Energy Holdings has finalised agreements for the sale of gas from its Linxing Station to a Chinese energy investor, at $US9.62 per thousand cubic feet.

Perth-based PLD Corporation will proceed with acquiring three zinc and nickel projects, including collapsed miner Kagara’s Admiral Bay zinc project, now that it has secured about $10 million from two mining finance managers, including Resource Capital Funds.

Oil prices have finished mixed in a market held back by a strong US dollar and persistent concerns about the global oversupply of crude.

Gold has steadied as the US dollar rally paused and European shares fell, but it remains near a three-month low after a US jobs report boosted expectations that the Federal Reserve would raise interest rates soon.

Australia's largest privately owned vessel hire and offshore marine services group, Bhagwan Marine, has launched its own subsea division.

Tensions between WA’s major iron ore producers and their smaller competitors will be on show at a major conference this week.

CI Resources will investigate new investment opportunities in the palm oil, phosphate and fertiliser industries, following its compulsory acquisition of all remaining shares in Phosphate Resources.

Iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group is calling on business leaders to create more opportunities for indigenous Australians to end the jobs' disparity.

West Perth- based explorer Sheffield Resources will sell its Oxley potash project, near Geraldton, to South Australian Centrex Metals for $2.5 million.

Gold has fallen nearly three per cent to a three-month low after stronger-than-expected US non-farm payrolls fuelled expectation the Federal Reserve will raise rates sooner rather than later, and the US dollar jumped to an 11-and-a-half-year high.

Alcoa chairman Alan Cransberg has called on businesses to take responsibility for ending domestic violence through workplace initiatives, in an address to the Chamber of Minerals and Energy’s Women in Resources awards today.

Carna Group has been placed into administration after revealing it is fighting the owners of the Griffin coal mine for payment for work done prior to walking off the Collie mine last year.

Fitzroy Resources is set for big changes after winning backing from prominent Perth investors Tony Grist and Rod Jones.

Welshpool-based Mount Ridley Mines has announced a $3.24 million placement for exploration at its Fraser Range nickel-copper project, with the company already receiving commitments in excess of this amount.

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation says it will continue to lobby and fight for the Aboriginal Heritage Act Amendment Bill, which is currently before parliament, to be re-drafted.

Listed companies from Western Australia are on the outer in the most recent quarterly reshuffle of the S&P Dow Jones ASX Indices, with high-profile absentees including Iluka Resources, Mineral Resources and Monadelphous Group.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission disclosed today it had raised concerns about Resolute Mining’s project valuations, prior to the Perth-based miner's decision to impair its Syama gold mine in Mali by $310 million.

Shares in gold miner Regis Resources have fallen 28 per cent after the company said annual production would be at the lower end of its target range.

Perth-based oil and gas company Tap Oil has launched a strategic review process that includes the possible sale of the business, after one of its substantial shareholders proposed a board shake-up.

Gold has eased, changing direction and falling below $US1,200 an ounce as short-covering dried up after buoying prices following the European Central Bank's (ECB) announcement that it will lift its 2016 inflation forecast.

The Broome tourism sector is targeting growth beyond its itinerant seasonal appeal, with strategies being developed to attract additional tourists and residents.

Shares in uranium miner Bannerman Resources dropped 15.3 per cent on news it initiated a discounted share purchase plan to raise up to $2 million.

The battle for sponsorship support at Sculpture by the Sea has continued for another year, after iron ore magnate Gina Rinehart chose not to continue her financial backing for the exhibition on Cottesloe Beach, preferring to support two sporting groups.

The Environmental Protection Authority has given conditional approval to Chevron’s fourth train expansion proposal at its Gorgon gas project on Barrow Island.

The consumer watchdog has given the green light to Woodside Petroleum’s proposed purchase of oil and gas assets from US energy company Apache, after concluding it would not have a significant effect on the domestic gas market.