Mining

Domestic energy users are finding lucrative export markets provide a challenging competitor to their supply and costs.

Engineering firm Macmahon Holdings has finalised the contract terms with Fortescue Metals Group for the construction of the Solomon Rail project.

Shares in Gloucester Coal are in a trading halt following reports it was in talks about an $8 billion merger that would create Australia's largest independent coal producer.

Perth-based mineral explorer Peak Resources has appointed Richard Beazley as its managing director, effective as of January 16.

Perth-based junior Sunbird Energy announced today it has closed its $9 million initial public offering (IPO) early after being oversubscribed.

Newcrest mining has reduced its full-year gold production guidance by about six per cent because of a production disruptions and lower grades and recoveries.

Perth-based Mirabela Nickel announced today the appointment of Geoff Handley as non-executive chairman and the resignation of Craig Burton and Bill Clough, completing its board renewal process.

Legacy Iron Ore has appointed three senior Indian business figures to its board, following shareholder approval of India’s National Mineral Development Corporation’s (NMDC) purchase of a 50 per cen

Woodside Petroleum denies it is having doubts about building a gas processing plant in Western Australia's north, following a delay on a decision on the $30 billion liquefied natural gas proje

Wesfarmers says it expects to book $90 million pre-tax profit on the sale of its Premier Coal business to Chinese-owned Yancoal, after the deal was given regulatory approval today.

Oil refiner Caltex expects a drop in profit in 2011 due to challenging trading conditions and disruptions to its operations.

More than $300 billion worth of resources projects are either underway or on the cards in Western Australia, according to state government data.

Gas pipeline owner Hastings Diversified Utilities Fund (HDF) has rejected a surprise takeover offer by APA Group but says it's still open to a higher bid.

Uranium explorer Bannerman Resources has announced that it has received subscription commitments for an $8.2 million share placement, with funds going to complete its feasibility study on its Entan

Total mining employment in Western Australia has surpassed 100,000 people for the first time, indicative of the growth of the state’s resources sector.

Iron Ore Holdings plans to buy back up to 10 per cent of its shares on market, saying the iron ore explorer's share price does not reflect the fair value of its assets.

Perth-headquartered emerging developer Coal of Africa has announced its intention to proceed with the issue and allotment of 50.32 million conditional placing shares, the second tranche in a US$106

Southern Cross Goldfields has completed a $3.3m capital raising to fund the completion of a feasibility study at its Marda gold project and exploration at the Copper Bore VMS copper-gold project.

Gindalbie Metals has commenced a feasibility study on development options of its Shine iron ore deposit following positive mineral resource estimates.

WA-based Hot Chili has completed a private placement, raising $22.3 million for its Productora copper-gold project in Chile, which has extensive drilling and scoping studies already in place.

Base metals producer Kagara has completed a $25 million share placement at 31 cents per share, to complete the acquisition of its Einasleigh copper project in Queensland and fund exploration activi

Gas pipeline owner APA Group has made a $1.8 billion takeover offer for Hastings Diversified Utilities Fund (HDF), an investment fund with gas pipeline assets.

Mako Energy, Transerv Energy and Tamaska Oil & Gas, as the Alberta Joint Venture (AJV), will sell an 80 per cent interest in parts of its Duvernay Shale gas and Rock Creek oil projects in Canad

Rio Tinto has increased its shareholding in Canadian uranium company Hathor Exploration and extended its friendly offer for a second time.

Australia's resources and energy exports are set to reach a new record this financial year, though the growth will not be as strong as previously anticipated because of easing commodity prices.

Junior minerals explorer Blackthorn Resources has extracted the first ore from its joint venture Perkoa project in Africa, and production remains on target to begin in the second half of 2012.

Leighton Holdings subsidiary John Holland has secured a $370 million contract to design and construct the accommodation village for Chevron's Wheatstone gas project near Onslow.

Tanami Gold managing director Graeme Sloan has left the company, after it announced that the development strategy for its Central Tanami project would be reviewed in light of its drilling success.

Whitehaven Coal and billionaire Nathan Tinkler's Aston Resources have agreed to a $5.1 billion merger.

Chinese investment group Wah Nam International has moved to gain full ownership of iron ore company Brockman Resources, through a takeover pitched at less than half the value of its original offer.

Australian-based minerals company Avalon Minerals is set to raise $3.88 million through a share placement with copper producer, developer, and explorer Mawson West.

The heated battle for control of explorer Paynes Find Gold has resulted in the election of one out of three candidates who stood at Friday’s specially-requisitioned meeting of shareholders.