Aston Minerals

WESTERN Australia’s initial public offerings market is continuing to show signs of strength after a hot close to 2010, with four WA-based minerals exploration companies looking to join the Australian Securities Exchange next month after lodging prospectus

Investors who kept their money in Australia's top blue chip stocks enjoyed great returns in the 2012-13 financial year.The S&P/ASX 200 index gained 17.3 per cent last year, as the big banks, the major retail groups and Telstra enjoyed strong share price gains.

Owners of graphite stocks have enjoyed strong returns during the past year on the back of demand for the mineral’s use in lithium ion batteries, however it is the potential to tap new markets that has some in the sector even more excited.

Graphite players have had a soft 18 months, although some WA companies are developing new production techniques that might give them a leg up in the industry.

David Putnam has resigned as interim chief executive officer of Western Mining Network. Mr Putnam has served as interim CEO since the past nine months. 

A Wangara-based renewable technology company is seeking to list on the ASX through the reverse takeover of dormant Perth company Axxis Technology.

Investors appear to have shaken off a drop in gold and iron ore prices at the end of September to back Western Australian businesses, with the Business News BN30 index of local shares closing the September quarter near record highs.

European Cobalt will raise $20 million through a share placement as the junior miner advances exploration work at its Dobsina copper, nickel, cobalt project in central Slovakia.

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