Mining

Chinese circling Fortescue; Confession season intensifies as earnings growth slows; Coventry at 30-year low as investors wait; Bad debts threaten banks' double-digit profit growth; Globetrotter thrives on making virtue of family

Applecross-based global education services group Navitas Ltd has announced a joint venture between its part-owned student recruitment business, EduGlobal China Ltd, and online higher education company, Open Universities Australia (OUA).

Perth based nickel producer, Minara Resources, has appointed current chair of nickel group Xstrata Australia, Peter Coates, as its new chairman.

Rio Tinto subsidiary Hamersley Holdings has increased its interest in AusQuest to 6.9 per cent following the exercise of five million options at 40 cents per share.

HERE at the Note we often imagine what it’s like to be a fly on the wall when the big deals are brokered. Alas, the detail is often left out in the announcements we peruse.

The Australian Prospectors & Miners Hall of Fame Foundation is appealing to the mining community to help it raise $10 million.

As the state's winemakers emerge from a tough few years, the industry has a different look to it.

Hit by the high cost of feedstocks, biofuels players Mission Biofuels Ltd and Australian Renewable Fuels Ltd are both seeking to adapt their strategies as rising agricultural product prices disrupt their business models.

A new $21 million oil and gas training facility has been opened in Henderson by the Federal and State Governments.

Rivervale-based Aurium Resources Ltd has acquired its second company for this year, following the takeover of Northern Territory-based Jarra Resources Ltd for up to $15.3 million.

Nickel miner Sally Malay Mining Ltd is to purchase Liontown Resources Ltd's Cowan Nickel Project assets in the easter Goldfields in a deal worth about $2 million.

Chinese steel company Shougang Corporation has agreed to invest up to 19.9 per cent in Perth-based Prosperity Resources Ltd via a share placement.

Pilbara iron ore explorer FerrAus Ltd has become the latest resource company to attract the interest of China, with mining and smelting company Western Mining Co Ltd to take a 10 per cent stake.

Western Australian exploration company Focus Minerals Ltd has acquired a further 50 per cent interest in the Coolgardie Gold Project.

Western Australian gold exploration company Castle Minerals Ltd, has intersected shallow gold mineralisation at its Akoko North site in Ghana.

West Perth based Nickel miner Mincor Resources NL has intersected Nickel near its Otter Juan nickel mine in Kambalda, Western Australia.

West Perth based mineral exploration company Beacon Minerals Ltd has announced positive results from its Barlee Gold Project in Western Australia, saying it will provide confidence for further regional exploration.

Consolidation in the Australian nickel sector looks far from over, following recent speculation and events surrounding Perth-based Albidon Ltd.

Chinese interest in Australia’s iron ore sector has gone to a new level, with East Perth-registered exploration company Legacy Iron Ore Ltd seeking to list on the stock market.

A Spin-off company from Perth-based explorer Carrick Gold Ltd is aiming to list on the stock market late next month, after raising up to $8 million in its initial public offering.

Tony Sage, a director of Australian iron ore exploration and development company Cape Lambert Iron Ore Limited, has increased his stake in the company to 6.4 per cent following a conversion of nine million options.

Litigation funder Hillcrest Litigation Services Ltd said today it was endeavouring to reach an agreement with client Julian Wright following the multi-million dollar settlement of the court case involving Mr Wright's family.

Malaga-based Advanced Engine Component Ltd (ACE) has been awarded a $236,466 AusIndustry research and development grant, to develop components for natural gas vehicle engines that will help cut carbon emissions in the heavy vehicle industry.

Listed mineral exploration company, Sub-Sahara Resources NL, has paid a $33,000 fine following an Australian Securities and Investments Commission investigation.

Tango Mining's takever offer for Herald Resources has been extended after the bidder disclosed that it was still awaiting approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board.

West Perth-based EnviroGold Ltd has announced that "due to the current financial climate it will take longer than originally anticipated to close the financing for its 70 per cent-owned Las Lagunas gold project in the Dominican Republic".

Perth-based Portman Iron Ore Ltd and Pluton Resources can proceed with a joint venture exploration program for Irvine Island in Broome, following the WA Minister for the Environment's dismissal of an appeal against the level of assessment placed by the EP

Perth-based scooter company, Vmoto Limited, has announced that production and development of its Nanjing manufacturing plant in China is on schedule and within budget.

TERRITORY Resources Ltd has secured control of takeover target and mineral sands producer, Olympia Resources, by lifting its stake to 55.3 per cent.

RIO Tinto Iron Ore has announced it will start a fly-in, fly-out commute roster from Carnarvon, adding to services it has started in Geraldton and Busselton.

WORLD War I commenced during the first week of August 1914, nearly nine months before an Australian and New Zealand amphibious force landed on an isolated Turkish beach.

SHARES in West Perth-based resources company Straits Resources Ltd jumped more than 6 per cent last week after it unveiled a plan to restructure the business and de-merge from its coal-focused Asian s