Mining

Exotic and minor metals are never a natural fit for small mining companies, a fact discovered by shareholders in struggling lithium producer Galaxy Resources, and a threat that hovers over the head

BHP Billiton says the environmental assessment of its multi-billion dollar Scarborough joint venture is progressing well amid support from the Western Australian government.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott is confident of striking the right balance between farmers, the environment and prosperity when it comes to maximising gas extraction in Australia.

BHP Billiton has raised $US5 billion ($A5.3 billion) on global bond markets.

Gold futures have risen as investors fear a potential impasse in US budget talks may bolster demand for the metal.

The federal Labor opposition must defend the mining tax and aim to engage with small business, leadership candidate Bill Shorten says.

Former Fortescue Metals Group chairman Gordon Toll is a major player in two companies at the heart of an ambitious plan to develop mining and infrastructure in South Australia.

Chinese steelmaker Ansteel is set to provide a further $US230 million injection of working capital into the Karara iron ore project in the Mid West, in a deal that would dilute Gindalbie Metals' stake in the project to as little as 38 per cent.

BHP Billiton says increased supply is causing commodity prices to fall and it expects that trend to continue in the short term.

Employment services company Skilled Group has won a $A200 million contract to provide labour for a pipeline linking Darwin with offshore Western Australian gas deposits.

The price of oil slipped below $103 a barrel for the first time since early August, as the U.S.

Mining transport company AL Logistics has gone into voluntary administration as it seeks to secure a $2 million investment to pay its creditors and continue operating.

Perth-based explorer Siburan Resources will seek to raise $3 million to progress its ongoing exploration activities at the Kirwan tungsten project New Zealand.

Australia has the seventh largest shale gas reserves in the world but a lack of roads and pipelines could hinder the industry's development.

Toronto-based gold miner Alacer Gold has agreed to sell its Australian operations to a subsidiary of Perth-based explorer Metals X for $40 million.

Perth-based explorer Australian-American Mining Corporation has received a $10 million debt finance term sheet from a private lender as it seeks to bring its American copper interests to production.

Fortescue Metals Group has taken control of ore processing off a contractor at its Christmas Creek mine where a worker died last month.

Gold futures have fallen for a second session as investors weighed the likelihood of a rollback of Federal Reserve stimulus.

Southern Cross Goldfields has announced the immediate resignation of three of its directors, just days after announcing the departure of the company’s chief executive.

Perseus Mining is set to lose two of its founding directors, with Rhett Brans and Neil Fearis to resign following the company’s annual general meeting in November.

Swick Mining Services’ underground diamond drilling division has been awarded three new contracts and renewed several existing agreements.

Newcrest executives are bracing for more pay cuts as the troubled gold miner outlines plans to keep bonuses to a minimum.

West Perth-based gold miner Middle Island Resources has raised $5 million towards its proposed acquisition of the Samira Hill gold mine in West Africa through a share placement.

The world's largest drilling company Boart Longyear says it will reduce the size of its revolving credit facility from $US450 million to $US140 million.

Gold futures have slumped as comments from a slate of Federal Reserve officials cause traders to reassess their expectations for the duration of the central bank's bond-buying program.

Resources giant BHP Billiton says its new $US1.5 billion gas plant will supply 20 per cent of the state's domestic market amid hopes of doubling capacity.

The mining industry has welcomed the state government's change to its programme of work approvals systems, which will give more time to companies to complete exploration works on approved projects.

Africa-focused Perseus Mining says its cost-cutting measures are creating results, with the gold miner encouraged by its start to the new financial year, which has it on target to achieve its gold

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart has lost her bid to prevent her bitter family trust fund battle being played out in a Sydney court.

Perth-based electrical contractor JT Day has won two contracts, collectively worth $59 million, with international engineering group Bechtel at Chevron's Wheatstone liquefied natural gas project ne

Iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group will start reducing its $12 billion in debt from November.

Low-cost gold producer Regis Resources has more than doubled its full year profit due to a boost in gold sales and a higher realised price.