Mining

Oil prices have slipped as traders estimated a key report will show another increase in US crude inventories that already are at record levels, exacerbating the global oversupply.

Gold prices fell to the lowest level in almost two months on Tuesday after Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen waxed positive about the economy's performance, even as she appeared to temper any expectations of an imminent rate increase.

Perth-based waste management company Tox Free Solutions has posted a 30 per cent boost in first-half profit to $12.4 million on the back of improvements in its industrial services operations.

BHP Billiton has scrapped the sale of its US Fayetteville shale assets in the face of weak oil prices, less than four months after it was announced, and announced big cuts to its capital spending.

Mungana Goldmines shares closed 20 per cent higher today on news former Mutiny Gold managing director Tony James would be the company’s new boss.

Shares in Perth-based contractor Brierty slumped after it announced a 7 per cent slide in first-half profit to $4.06 million, as competitiveness ramps up in the sector.

Atlas Iron and BC Iron have both reported big losses following impairments and a race to cut costs as iron ore prices remain depressed.

Subiaco-based gold producer Northern Star Resources will become Alchemy Resources’ largest shareholder by purchasing the company’s Hermes deposit in the Bryah Basin for $1.45 million.

Mining giant BHP Billiton's half-year net profit has dived by 47.4 per cent to $US4.3 billion ($A5.52 billion) after a period of plummeting iron ore prices.

Oil prices have fallen, extending last week's slide as US crude supplies linger at historic levels.

Gold prices have fallen, as a deal between Greece and its European creditors calms nerves in asset markets and lessens the need for holding gold as a hedge against uncertainty.

Perth-based uranium developer Toro Energy has announced the appointment of Fiona Harris as the company’s new chair, while also announcing a reduction in the number of directors as a result of the current market conditions.

WA Skills Training has secured an estimated $2 million per year deal with the Malaysian government to deliver training for both Malaysians and Australians seeking work on major resource projects.

Fremantle-based MMA Offshore has announced a lift in interim revenue and profit, but its shares slumped today on a lower dividend and predictions of a weaker second half.

Troubled mining services company Boart Longyear is confident demand for its services will pick up eventually, despite posting a $US333million first-half loss during the 2014 calendar year.

The financial incentives for higher cost mid-tier miners to either share infrastructure or merge is at an all-time high, according to accounting firm EY.

GR Engineering Services has recorded a reduction in net profit after tax despite substantially higher revenues during the first half of the financial year.

Quintessential Resources is set to relist on the ASX tomorrow after morphing into technology incubator Yonder and Beyond, but plans by three travel businesses, including George Michalczyk's Motive Travel, to undertake a backdoor listing through Red Gum Resources have fallen through. Click through to also see the BNiQ listing of 26 WA backdoor listings.

Mining and civil engineering contractor Maca has posted a 6.4 per cent increase in profit to $34.7 million for the six months to December, despite revenue taking a hit from recent mine closures, as the company shifted its focus onto gold projects in South America.

The board at Balamara Resources took drastic action last week in light of the dramatic fall in the company’s share price during the past 12 months, with managing director Mike Ralston announcing the intention to de-list from the ASX.

There's a flipside to being undervalued, according to Minotaur Exploration managing director Andrew Woskett, whose business has a $21 million market cap.

A depreciating currency and encouraging demand over the medium term spells good news for the state’s mining juniors, if they can ride out short-term fluctuations.

Standout junior explorers are finding investors for their mining projects, while others are cutting back on exploration and development to counteract a tough corporate finance market and increased government fees.

Macmahon Holdings’ shares have been smashed in early trading, falling by about 40 per cent after it was disclosed late on Friday that it had lost a major contract at Fortescue Metals Group’s Christmas Creek mine.

Engineering group UGL has suffered a first-half loss due to one-off write-downs and provisions as the slowdown in resource sector investment continues to bite.

Gold prices have fallen as a deal between Greece and its creditors took shape, easing worries about the eurozone and driving investors out of the haven metal.

Everything old seems to be new again in the resources sector, with a number of old projects being rebirthed under new management.

Power generation company Pacific Energy has trimmed its full-year earnings guidance after reporting a lower than expected interim profit, but says a contract at the Tropicana gold mine will help it return to growth in 2016.

Perth Mint says a new agreement allowing the Australian Crime Commission access to documents is not related to any investigation.

Perth-based Amcom Telecommunications has posted a 16 per cent slide in half-year profit to $9.3 million on the back of a fall in revenue from its IT services business.

Sixteen years after establishing Asphar Survey Group, and then building it into one of Western Australia’s largest surveying firms, Anthony Asphar is heading back to the jobs market after the demise of his business. Click through to also see the updated BNiQ list of WA's Top 10 surveying firms.

Adelaide-based oil and gas producer Santos has frozen its senior executives' salaries after falling to a $935 million full year net loss.