Mining

Gold steadied around $US1,200 an ounce, paring losses as the US dollar extended its fall.

Oil prices have marked gains for their sixth day running amid signs that US production, a key driver of the global supply glut, may be on the cusp of easing.

The state government's scheme to stimulate mining exploration has provided wide-ranging economic benefit, but the negative effect of falling commodity prices could stifle any further gains, according to modelling by a new report.

Woodside Petroleum chairman Michael Chaney has set himself an ambitious goal, telling shareholders he wants to more than double the number of women on the company’s board over the next two years.

Orinoco Gold will make the transition from explorer to producer after receiving approval from its board to begin developing an underground mine at its Cascavel project in Brazil.

Energy giant Woodside Petroleum has warned a long downturn in oil prices will reduce its profit and shareholder payouts.

La Mancha Resources has signed an agreement to acquire up to 70 per cent of Perth-based explorer Intermin Resources’ Binduli gold project near Kalgoorlie.

Fortescue Metals Group has achieved a significant reduction in costs, giving it hope of staving off losses due to the fall in iron ore prices.

Gold has risen one per cent to above $US1,200 an ounce, as the US dollar turned weak late in the session after weaker-than-expected US economic data, while stronger US and European stocks limited the metal's upside.

US oil prices have shot up to a 2015 peak after a slight dip in US oil production sparked talk that the glutted petroleum market could be turning.

Stratum Metals has become the sixth Western Australian company to cancel a backdoor listing deal in the past year, with the Nedlands-based business reviewing its future options, including plans for the East Menzies gold project, after walking away from a planned reverse takeover of a US technology venture.

The corporate watchdog has banned stockbroker Anton Kerstens from providing financial services for five years, following an investigation that found he had manipulated the share price of Perth-based uranium explorer Cauldron Energy.

IMX Resources has signed an offtake deal with a Chinese enterprise for graphite concentrate from its Chilalo project in Tanzania.

Gold and copper miner PanAust has rejected a state owned Chinese company's $1.1 billion takeover bid, describing the offer as inadequate.

Lower oil prices and sales coupled with a natural disaster contributed to a 20.1 per cent slide in Woodside Petroleum’s revenue for the March quarter, but wrapping up its Apache Corporation asset purchase lifted contingent reserves by 151 per cent.

Gold cut losses on Tuesday, as the dollar turned lower after US retail sales and producer prices data came in weaker than expected, but prices remained below $US1,200 an ounce on higher equities.

Global oil prices have risen for the fourth straight day, with US prices jumping after a government report predicted a drop in US shale-oil production.

The national interest comes a distant second to self-preservation when states’ economies take a turn for the worse.

The Water Corporation is cutting 10 per cent of its workforce, with about 300 full-time jobs to go, as it reduces the amount of capital investment.in new infrastructure.

Mining contractor Maca has suffered another blow to its order book, with Sinosteel Midwest Corporation announcing plans to halt operations at its Blue Hills hematite project in the Mid West after failing to gain environmental approval for an expansion.

Perth-based gold producer Troy Resources has announced its intention to delist from the Toronto Stock Exchange due to a lack of demand for its shares in the Canadian market.

Phoenix Gold will wrap up mining at its Kintore West project this month and suspend upcoming small mining projects to save money, as it shifts focus to developing its Castle Hill project near Kalgoorlie with joint venture partner Norton Gold Fields.

Perth-based oil explorer Red Emperor Resources says delays at its Georgian project have been caused by joint venture partner Range Resources, which has failed to carry out a planned drilling program.

Fortescue Metals Group has restructured rosters for mine workers at its operations in the Pilbara, in its latest move to cope with plunging iron ore prices.

Gold dropped for a fourth session in five as the US dollar firmed, backed by expectations the Federal Reserve may be on course to raise US interest rates soon.

World oil prices have modestly extended last week's gains in cautious trade as investors digest news of another rise in US crude oil inventories in an abundantly supplied global market.

Shareholders in Tanami Gold have overwhelmingly supported a tie-up with Northern Star Resources, despite the threat of legal action from rival miner and would-be partner Metals X.

The University of Western Australia has launched a new attempt to capitalise of the fruits of the fast-fading resources boom by highlighting the value of human capital that has created in fields such as engineering.

Former mining magnate Nathan Tinkler has secured a job as an adviser to nickel explorer Rumble Resources as he steps up his return to the resources sector.

Oz Minerals plans to release the outcome of a company-wide review later in April as it looks to cut costs following a downturn in commodity prices.

Nedlands-based gold explorer Promesa has announced plans to shift its focus to technology by acquiring social media platform and app developer Thredit.

Price and production uncertainty over a range of commodities is flowing through to port investments, with enthusiasm for development taking a back seat to pragmatism.