Mining

A handful of Perth companies, Macmahon Holdings Ltd, Monadelphous Group Ltd and Nomad Building Solutions Ltd, have had their recommendations changed by analysts at brokerage Hartleys.

Alcoa's Kwinana refinery was awarded the minerals processing plant of the year at the annual Australian Mining Prospect Awards last week.

Shares in Atlas Iron Ltd have dropped nearly 10 per cent despite news the emerging iron ore producer has entered into an agreement that could lower the cost of bringing its Abydos project online.

Perth-based emerging gold producer Catalpa Resources today reported a 16 per cent increase in its gold Reserves from 544,000 ounces to 629,000 ounces at its wholly-owned Edna May Gold Project in Western Australia.

West Perth-based Uranio has consolidated its ground position near the Mulga Rock uranium deposit in the Eastern Goldfields following the acquisition of the Ponton uranium project from Paladin Energy Ltd.

The iron ore price will be a leading indicator of Western Australia's economic health as the risk of a slump continues to rise, a leading economic forecaster has warned.

West Perth-based explorer Murchison United NL has proposed a name change to Forte Energy NL at its upcoming general meeting.

Melbourne-based St Barbara Ltd has poured first gold from its Leonora operation in Western Australia.

Mining services company NRW Holdings Ltd has been awarded a three-year contract, valued at $180 million, for works at OM Holdings Ltd's Bootu Creek manganese mine in the Northern Territory.

Oil and gas producer Santos Ltd has delivered a rise in revenue in the third quarter despite the Varanus Island gas explosion impacting production.

THE state government posted a record surplus in 2007-08 of $2.56 billion, fuelled by significant growth in mining royalties and taxation revenue.

TWELVE months ago, the idea of having more than a handful of job applications for a single vacancy would have been beyond contemplation for many businesses in Western Australia.

THE controversy over the Varanus Island gas explosion has eased somewhat since gas production resumed in August, yet some major gas users have still not been getting any gas.

FOUR years after it started training food industry employees, Victoria Park-based provider Australian College of Training is preparing to export its services to New Zealand and Asia.

Engineering company Clough Ltd could take a $23 million hit after its Indonesian subsidiary disclosed that it had been forced to suspend work on a coal mine project, which is currently seeking to raise additional capital needed for completion.

Perth-based United Minerals Corporation NL will move to the next study stage after an initial assessment of its Pilbara iron ore project estimated a net operating profit after tax of up to $595 million a year.

A key market analyst says a realistic outlook for nickel prices over the next few years is around $US17,000 per tonne and producers should take heart from an expected doubling in demand over current levels by 2030.

Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore says the strength of the state's iron ore industry masked the warning signs from the nickel sector where the outlook is "not promising".

Perth-based Coretrack Ltd has signed an agreement with Apache Energy Ltd to supply its core level recorder tool and associated services to the oil and gas company's Reindeer 2 well located in the North West Shelf.

Less than a week after placing its shares in a trading halt pending a financial review, West Perth-based Matilda Minerals Ltd has called in administrators from Ferrier Hodgson.

West Perth-based Kagara Ltd today said its continuing shift towards copper production has resulted in record copper production of 9,472 tonnes from the company's North Queensland operations for the September quarter.

The Chinese economy is expected to remain resilient over the next financial year and is well placed to weather a downturn in the global economy, according to CommSec.

Chevron Australia says the government's proposed emissions trading scheme could increase operating costs by up to $200 million to its massive Gorgon and Wheatstone projects.

Shares in Leederville-based Blackham Resources Ltd have jumped 46 per cent after a resource boost in the Scaddan coal-to-liquids joint venture with Wesfarmers Premier Coal Ltd that is projected to have mine life of over 45 years.

Shares in Westralian Gas and Power have slumped nearly 30 per cent as the company reports cash reserves of $7000 at the end of the September quarter.

North Perth-based metals explorer Aura Energy Ltd has entered into a deal, potentially valued at $460 million, with Chinese company Sino King Investment Ltd.

Treasurer Troy Buswell said spending will be signifcantly tightened in next year's budget while an exact forecast on how the global financial turmoil will affect the state's resource royalties revenue stream is not yet known.

Shaw River Resources Ltd has completed a $3 million raising with funds to go towards exploration efforts in the Pilbara.

THE global financial crisis has had a big impact on two energy projects off Western Australia's northern coast, with Coogee Resources and Nexus Energy both putting out 'for sale' signs this month.

HISTORIC statistics have only limited value in the context of an unprecedented market meltdown, nevertheless there is some comfort in knowing the economic position before the latest chapter in the slowly unfolding crisis.

THE timing of the first strike action at Rio Tinto Ltd's Pilbara iron ore operations in 16 years is almost exquisite, with some of the highest paid union members on the planet stopping work as world leaders were seeking to avert a global financial disaste

YOU'D think an artist commissioned by Andrew Forrest to create a 12-metre high sculpture for the Cyclone George memorial in South Hedland, and who made the centrepiece sculpture for the Sultan of Brunei's Jerudong Park Polo Club, would have quite a follow