Mining

Figures this week will shed some light on a much talked about question - the timing of the peak in the resources investment boom.

Ramelius Resources has lodged a $2.3 million profit, after revenue from gold sales slipped from $147.6 million in financial year 2011 to $84.1 million in FY2012.

Resolute Mining has announced a full year net profit of $105 million, up 76 per cent on the previous year.

Perseus Mining has announced its maiden profit, six months after beginning commercial production of gold from its Edikan operation in Ghana.

Australia's biggest gold miner Newcrest has suspended production at its Lihir mine in Papua New Guinea due to a dispute with land owners.

Shares in Seven Group Holdings have risen five per cent after the media and earthmoving-machinery company said strong activity in the resources sector was likely to continue.

Ausdrill has completed its acquisition of the Best Tractor Parts Group, announcing today it has agreed to pay $165 million for the earthmoving and tractor equipment retailer.

Caltex Australia has played down the strong turnaround for its refining business that it plans to partially close, after the company posted a big rise in profits.

National Australia Bank chief executive Cameron Clyne says talk of the resource boom being over is premature.

Swick Mining Services is targeting the Australia-Pacific region and North America for further growth, after lodging a significant jump in net profit for the 2012 financial year.

The administrators for collapsed miner Kagara have appointed PCF Capital to sell the company’s north Queensland assets, while Rothschild Australia will co-ordinate the sale of the Admiral Bay zinc-

Engineering group LogiCamms has delivered a 133 per cent jump in full-year profits, on the back of a 26 per cent spike in revenue.

Azumah Resources says it will make a final investment decision early next year at its Wa gold project in north west Ghana, after releasing a feasibility study and maiden reserve for the development

Atlas Iron expects the price of iron ore to increase over the next two months as China's demand for steel remains strong.

Shares in Sundance Resources have shot up by more than 11 per cent after it accepted a reduced takeover offer from China's Hanlong Mining.

BHP Billiton has sold its Yeelirrie uranium deposit near Wiluna to Canada's Cameco Corporation for $US430 million ($A414 million).

The mining boom - or at least investment in it - will peak in 2014, but the non-resources sector will then drive growth, a report has found.

Gold miner Troy Resources says it is confident on building on its record output from its South American operations, which pushed it to a company-best profit for the year ended June 30.

Southern Cross Goldfields has launched a $5.2 million capital raising it says will underpin its transition from gold explorer to producer.

International chemicals and materials giant Rockwood Holdings has announced it will acquire Perth-based Talison Lithium in an all cash takeover worth C$724 million ($698 million).

The spate of record earnings reports from Perth-based engineering and construction contractors continued today, and widespread forecasts of further strong growth suggest there is life in the old re

Diversified investment house Washington H Soul Pattinson has launched a near-$70 million all-cash takeover bid for Perth-based exploration junior Exco Resources.

BGC Contracting has won a three-and-a-half year extension to its mining contract at Atlas Iron’s Wodgina iron ore mine in the Pilbara.

Transport magnate Lindsay Fox has compared Western Australia's iron ore boom with the eastern states' goldrush of the 1850s.

Engineering and contracting group RCR Tomlinson has achieved a record financial performance for the year ended June 30, with the company flagging further growth into financial year 2013.

Peak Resources shares have jumped after metallurgical testing by the Perth-based explorer demonstrated a high-grade rare earth carbonate product from samples at its Ngualla project in Tanzania.

Gold miner St Barbara has announced a 90 per cent increase in net profit, on the back of increased gold production and higher gold prices.

Power generator Pacific Energy has delivered another record result, with net profit for the year ended June 30 up 33 per cent on the previous year.

The federal government has approved Gina Rinehart's multi-billion dollar Alpha coal mine and its associated rail line in central Queensland.

The falling iron ore price has contributed to Mount Gibson Iron’s profits slumping 28 per cent over the 2011-12 financial year.

Debate has continued apace regarding the health of the mining industry, with federal cabinet ministers voicing contradicting views, the federal opposition saying project investment cuts are a sign