Mining

Diversified miner Rio Tinto has opened its $US2.2 billion Argyle underground diamond mine in the eastern Kimberley.

Oil and gas producer Santos has committed to a $100 million drilling and appraisal program over the next 12 months in the Northern Territory.

The share price of minerals explorer Aquila Resources took a hit after its Japanese joint venture partner pulled out of some of its Queensland coal exploration permits.

BHP Billiton has sold a copper mine in the US for $US650 million ($A634 million) as the resources giant continues to off-load assets.

Gold prices have closed at their highest level in nearly two weeks, as investors drew confidence from data showing central banks' purchases of the precious metal in March while brisk demand for gold coins, jewellery and bullion bars in Asia continued.

Oil and gas major Chevron says it has made more gas discoveries in the Carnarvon Basin.Chevron has now made 21 discoveries offshore Western Australia since mid-2009.

A group of disgruntled Intrepid Mines investors have moved to remove five of the company’s current directors and replace them with four new ones, blaming the board for the loss of around $1 billion

Investors have rejoiced in Woodside's decision to pay a generous dividend, despite concerns about the company's lack of short-term growth projects.

Oil prices rose in choppy end-of-contract trading, as bargain-hunters moved in following last week's plunge that prompted speculation about a possible cut to OPEC output.

Investors have dumped Oz Minerals stocks to 10-year lows after it slashed production guidance in its quarterly update.

Western Australia is still the nation's economic powerhouse, and the gap between the best- and worst-performing states in the country appears to be widening.

Lynas expects demand for its products to grow over the medium term after beginning production of its first separated rare earths products in the March quarter.

Santos is sticking with its full year production targets despite suffering a slide in the first quarter.

Rio Tinto chief executive Sam Walsh says the company will focus on divesting non-core assets as it strives to save $US5 billion ($A4.87 billion) through to 2014.

Iluka Resources is eager for Chinese apartment dwellers to use tiles in their homes, as the company flags further cuts to production.

Fortescue Metals Group is confident of meeting its full year production targets after unveiling its latest quarterly results.

Premier Colin Barnett says he isn't punishing Woodside for shelving its Browse gas project by casting doubt on its gas leases.

Junior explorers Highfield Resources and Venturex Resources have braved an uncertain market, announcing plans to raise up to $16.4 million collectively.

BHP Billiton's shares have opened higher after it maintained full year production guidance for key commodities in its latest quarterly report.

Gold snapped higher overnight, reboundinvg a day after the biggest selloff in 30 years amid signs that the lower prices were luring buyers of bullion, coins and jewellery.

Mermaid Marine managing director Jeff Weber has sold $5.4 million worth of shares in the company, to fund the exercise of incentive options and the associated tax liabilities.

Mining giant Rio Tinto says global iron ore production increased to 61 million tonnes in the March quarter, up six per cent on the same period last year.

Global Surface Mining says a $160 million contract win with Fortescue Metals Group is an important step forward for the surface mining industry in Australia.

Privately-owned Kwinana company Stella Industrial is looking to recruit extra staff after winning its largest contract, on Chevron’s Gorgon gas project.

Gold prices have plunged deeper, reaching their lowest level in more than two years as other metals also fell amid market pessimism owing to an unexpected slump in Chinese economic activity.

Mining company Rio Tinto warns the jobs of 1300 workers are at risk after a court overturned approval for a coal mine's expansion.

Mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton are expected to post softer iron ore and coal shipment reports after a series of cyclones hit northern Australia earlier this year.

Mining companies should be focusing on improving productivity rather than just digging up bigger volumes of minerals, according to a report by consultants PwC.

Gold careened into bear-market territory on Friday, slipping below $US1,500 an ounce at one point, further succumbing to investors' push for higher yields.

The increased likelihood of the Browse gas project being developed as a ‘floater’ takes to nine the number of floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) plants under construction or being considered for

APA Group is to sell the Moomba-to-Adelaide gas pipeline system to QIC Global Infrastructure for $400.6 million.

Mining billionaire Andrew Forrest says Australia will be left behind if efforts aren't made to make Sydney a strategic trading centre for Chinese currency.