Ian Middlemas

THE growing emergence of underground coal gasification as a clean source of energy has been highlighted by recent deals in the sector, with directors positioned to reap the benefits.

GETTING value for money is a subjective matter when it comes to assessing executive pay.

Mali-focused gold explorer Papillon Resources has added resources industry stalwart Ian Middlemas to its board of directors as company chairman, while at the same time announcing a $4.75 million capital raising.

WA’s emerging mining companies delivered spectacular gains last financial year, for the astute investors who picked the right stocks.

THREE years ago, Xenolith Resources was bumping along the bottom of the performance tables, with shares rarely worth more than a few cents even before the chaos of the GFC.

Berkeley Resources' volatile share price jumped 28 per cent today, making up for similar losses last month, after the uranium explorer announced the appointment of successful Perth dealmaker Ian Middlemas as its new chairman.

One of the state’s busiest directors, Ian Middlemas, is seeking to take a big stake in Aviva Corporation and become its chair in a proposal that appears to have been rejected by the listed company’s biggest stakeholder.

Only a handful of WA companies completed substantial capital raisings in the March quarter. We analyse how they went about it.

Prominent company director Ian Middlemas has been given the all-clear to chair the board of Aviva Corporation, after receiving the support of a majority of shareholders at a general meeting today.Mr Middlemas will be joined on the Aviva board by fellow Apollo Group partner Mark Pearce.

Prominent company director Ian Middlemas has been appointed chair of Aviva Corporation, after receiving the support of a majority of shareholders at a general meeting earlier this month.Mr Middlemas will be joined on the board by fellow Apollo Group partner Mark Pearce.

Prominent company director Ian Middlemas has joined Paringa Resources as a non-executive director, and Anastasio Arima as executive director.Mr Arima was a founder of Coalspur Mines, and is currently an executive director of Prairie Downs Metals, which Mr Middlemas chairs. 

Subiaco-based Paringa Resources has tasked a new leadership team with guiding the company, with founding directors David Griffiths and David Chapman stepping down from their respective roles as chairman and managing director.

Financial planning technology group Decimal is embarking on a reverse takeover of listed cashbox Aviva Corporation in a $9 million deal.

Former trucking boss Craig Mitchell has enlisted the help of prominent company directors and advisory firm Azure Capital to build a fast-growing network of quality service roadhouses across Western Australia.

Perth company director Ian Middlemas has presided over another lucrative takeover deal, after the board of Africa-focused Papillon Resources agreed to a $615 million all-scrip takeover by Canadian major B2Gold.

Perth-based Papillon Resources has agreed to amend the terms of its merger agreement with B2Gold to provide a new incentive for some of its shareholders.

Perth company directors Ian Middlemas and Domenic Martino have joined a flurry of pre-Christmas M&A deals that are valued at nearly $300 million, and designed to revive moribund resources companies.

ANALYSIS: WA potash hopefuls may have the backing of some high-profile local mining entrepreneurs, but startup costs and a worldwide product glut are major barriers. 

Social media platform and app developer Thred has enjoyed a steady first day on the ASX, while two other Perth-based companies have made progress on their respective reverse takeovers.

Uranium company Berkeley Energia, chaired by Perth dealmaker Ian Middlemas, plans to spend $125 million developing a mine in Spain, with the expectation that demand for yellowcake will ramp up by 2018 when the mine opens.

Shareholders in one-time mining companies Cove Resources and Pacific Ore have enjoyed solid gains after the two companies resumed trading on the ASX as tech plays, with one chaired by former Alinta boss Bob Browning and the other run from Seattle.

Pilbara accommodation businesses run by one-time trucking boss Craig Mitchell and the Collinson family are set to be the winners from BHP Billiton’s surprise decision to close Kurra Village in Newman, which at its peak houses up to 1,600 fly-in, fly-out  workers

Prominent businessman Ian Middlemas will now chair 11 companies concurrently after replacing Craig Burton as chairman of niobium hopeful Cradle Resources.

SPECIAL REPORT: Some of WA’s top company directors have achieved extraordinary gains in their wealth over the past year, and while most held onto their shares, a group of 11 reaped more than $180 million from share sales.

Niobium explorer Cradle Resources has recommended shareholders accept a takeover offer from joint venture partner Tremont Investments, which values the target at $55 million.

Ian Middlemas-led explorer Apollo Minerals has entered into an agreement to acquire a major stake in a tungsten-copper-gold project in France, in a cash and scrip deal worth up to $13.5 million.

Ian Middlemas-chaired coal explorer Paringa Resources has secured a $US20 million ($A26 million) facility to fund ongoing development of its Poplar Grove project in the US.

After locking in a $US20 million ($A26 million) debt facility agreement last week, aspiring coal miner Paringa Resources has tapped investors for $53 million to fund development of its Poplar Grove mine in Kentucky.

Ian Middlemas and Greg Swan have resigned from Cradle Resources as non-executive chair and company secretary respectively. They will be replaced by Chris Bath, who has been appointed non-executive director and company secretary.

Today's board moves wrap includes Kenneth Banks, Brian Thomas, Jeff Armstrong, Ian Middlemas, Simon Gerard, and Jordan Tentori.

Our board moves wrap includes Gemma Tually, Alison Terry, Ben Kim, YeongJin Heo, Brian Thomas, Ian Middlemas, Mark Pearce, Gregory Hancock, and Conrad Todd.

Our board moves wrap includes Peter Huston, John Welborn, Ian Middlemas, Samantha South, and Benjamin Jarvis.