Mining

Mirabela Nickel shares nearly doubled in value today after the miner announced improved December quarter results and released a strategic review, which forecast an increase in production and lower costs at its flagship Santa Rita mine in Brazil.

West Perth gold explorer Orinoco Gold is aiming to become a gold producer in 2015, after announcing a $14 million package to commence production at its Cascavel project.

Facing a slowdown in mining-related construction work, indigenous contractors are diversifying into new fields, establishing joint ventures and highlighting their Aboriginal credentials. Click through to also see our BNiQ list of 25 major indigenous contractors in WA.

An exploding tyre has killed one mine worker and seriously injured another man at a central Queensland coal mine.

Australia's largest rail freight hauler Aurizon is continuing to focus on boosting shareholder returns, with its latest profit bolstered by major cost-cutting measures and future spending on growth projects dependent on a recovery in commodity prices.

Gold prices have risen as investors sought shelter from the uncertainty surrounding Greek debt talks and prepared for a slower week due to the Lunar New Year holiday in China.

Chile-focused gold miner Lachlan Star has been placed into administration after it was unable to complete negotiations for the sale of its major subsidiary.

Perth-based explorers Pura Vida Energy and Primary Gold have announced their intention to raise capital to fund their respective projects.

The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association has hit back at claims that members of the DomGas Alliance have supply concerns amid ongoing uncertainty over the North West Shelf joint marketing agreement.

Oil and gas producer Beach Energy has flagged a $166 million writedown on the value of its assets, as a result the dramatic slide in global oil prices.

Resources sector services company Tempo Australia has been granted approval for variations for its existing contract with Rio Tinto, increasing its potential value by $11 million.

Balamara Resources has announced plans to delist from the Australian Securities Exchange after citing the high cost of maintaining its listing and an inability to raise new capital.

Queensland-based contractor Goodline has been brought onto the Roy Hill iron ore project to finish work left incomplete following the termination of Laing O’Rourke’s $200 million plus contract earlier this week.

Gold miner Newcrest has flagged the possible sale of the Telfer mine in Western Australia, one of its main assets.

Global oil prices rebounded as more leading petroleum producers announced they would curtail investment because of tumbling crude prices.

Gold prices have posted mild gains as news of a ceasefire in Ukraine tempered support from a weaker US dollar.

Energy giant BP has slashed the workforce at its Kwinana oil refinery by 20 per cent.

Oil and gas producer Santos faces a $1.6 billion hit to its books after the dramatic slide in global oil prices.

A consortium which includes Perth-based Programmed Maintenance Services has been appointed the preferred bidder for a public private partnership for four new schools in New Zealand.

Mining giant Rio Tinto will spend $US2 billion ($A2.6 billion) buying back its own shares and has increased its dividend despite reporting a result marked by falling earnings.

World oil prices have fallen sharply, with New York crude sliding below $US49, as swelling US inventories added to the global supply glut.

Gold prices have fallen as a stronger US currency damped investors' appetite for the dollar-denominated metal.

Mid-tier nickel miner Mincor Resources has dipped back into the red with a first-half loss of $1.89 million but says it beat its production and cost guidance, allowing it to declare an interim dividend of 2 cents per share.

Mining services contractor Viento Group says it can’t explain why its share price has risen by 75 per cent to 12 cents per share in two weeks.

Copper and gold miner Oz Minerals is back in the black thanks to improved production at its Prominent Hill mine in South Australia.

Australia's biggest workforce provider, Skilled Group, has unveiled a flat first-half profit result although its engineering and marine services businesses posted strong earnings.

Oil prices have slumped after the International Energy Agency issued a downbeat global market outlook and traders braced for a further increase in record US crude-oil stockpiles.

Gold prices have fallen, as investors pushed up yields on US government bonds on expectations that the Federal Reserve would raise interest rates later in 2015.

Bradken shares plunged 22 per cent after it suffered a heavy half-year loss, adding to expectations of a bleak earnings season for mining contractors.

Rio Tinto is expected to keep its promise to increase returns to shareholders this week.

Subiaco-based explorer RTG Mining has raised $15 million through the placement of about 22 million shares to fund exploration and development of its projects in the Philippines.

Amcom Telecommunications has teamed up with e-business association eGroup WA and technology hub Spacecubed to launch a tech accelerator program in Perth to help startups turn their ideas into products.