Mining

Kingsgate Consolidated's chief executive says he cannot offer an explanation as to why the price of gold has plunged but it may have something to do with derivatives.

Unions say they have effectively forced QR National to "play by the rules" as the company attempts to shed a fifth of its workforce.

BC Iron shares gained almost nine per cent after the junior iron ore producer said it expects to export five million tonnes of ore in fiscal 2013 after meeting its full year production targets ahea

Coal mining will not be allowed in and around Margaret River, Resources Minister Norman Moore says.

Oil Search says it is close to deciding on partner or partners for its natural gas exploration assets in resource-rich Papua New Guinea.

Aspiring iron ore miner Cazaly Resources has announced agreements with engineering company Engenium and the Esperance port authority, which it hopes will provide short-term and long-term infrastruc

Ausdrill has announced its largest-ever contract win, with its African mining services subsidiary securing a $US540 million deal at Resolute Mining’s Syama gold operation in west Africa.

Beleaguered miner Mirabela Nickel has axed hundreds of jobs in Brazil as it continues cutting costs at its Santa Rita operations while the nickel price languishes at depressed levels.

Reports of the mining boom's demise are greatly exaggerated, some say, but few dispute the likelihood of continued easing in commodity prices.

Integra Mining says it is on the lookout for potential acquisitions after securing a $20 million finance facility for its Randalls Gold project in the eastern Goldfields.

Analysts have raised concerns for Western Australian miners operating in Indonesia, after Intrepid Mines’ joint venture partner suspended operations at the Tujuh Bukit project in East Java.

Talga Gold has announced a $2.3 million capital raising plan to continue development at its suite of graphite, iron ore and gold projects.

Energy and Minerals Australia has been granted mining leases for its Mulga Rock project, days after settling litigation that had stymied development.

Asciano has struck a fresh deal with Bluescope Steel and Arrium to continue providing them with rail linehaul services across Australia.

GE and Chevron have signed a $600 million long term service agreement over the Gorgon Project.

Matilda Zircon has appointed MSP Engineering as its front end engineering and design (FEED) contractor for its Keysbrook mineral sands project south of Perth.

Perth-based iron ore explorer Equamineral Holdings has been admitted to the ASX after completing a $2.5 million initial public offering.

Construction and property development firm Diploma Group has announced a $44 million contract win with Rio Tinto, to build a 244-person camp at Paraburdoo.

Shares in oil and gas producer Santos have shot up by more than two per cent after it released higher quarterly production and sales revenue results.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan concedes falling iron ore prices could hit the revenue raised through the mineral resources rent tax (MRRT).

The timeline for the state's planned first uranium mine has slipped following a rigorous environmental assessment phase.

Woodside Petroleum has increased its full year production target after enjoying a 43 per cent surge in the second quarter.

One of the world's biggest energy companies says Australia's skills shortage is worrying and the government needs to do more to address it.

 Anti-uranium protesters will make the "symbolic gesture" of bashing a bull pinata, representing Toro Energy, outside a uranium conference while the firm's chief is addressing delegates.

Domestic labour will be favoured in the hunt for more than 5000 workers for Chevron's $US29 billion ($28. billion) Wheatstone gas project, the state government says.

BHP Billiton is expected to face a challenging few months as risk-averse investors abandon the stock despite positive production numbers.

Australia's largest gold producer Newcrest has a new executive general manager for projects, the company announced.

Former Greens senator Bob Brown has traded in his political hat for a pair of sea legs by joining the crew of the Sea Shepherd for an anti-gas hub campaign.

Anti-nuclear activists say six people have been arrested during protest action at the Olympic Dam uranium and copper mine in South Australia's north.

Rio Tinto has awarded a $317 million contract to build its driverless high tech train that will haul iron ore to port to Ansaldo STS Australia.

Fortescue Metals Group says its exports will continue to grow, despite lower iron ore prices and global jitters about a slowdown in China.