Mark Bennett

Managing risk and implementing methodical strategies have helped three local companies hit their targets, guests at a recent Business News Success & Leadership breakfast heard.

Sirius Resources has raised around $83.5 million through a share placement as it works towards the development of its Nova-Bollinger project.

FEATURE: It has been a difficult year for many of WA’s listed entities, but investors are backing the performance of most of the state’s top executives.

Sirius Resources has taken full ownership of its highly-rated Nova-Bollinger nickel deposit, buying out major shareholder Mark Creasy’s 30 per cent stake for a stock and cash package worth nearly $200 million at today’s share price.

Balcatta-based Sirius Resources says it's Nova nickel project near Norsemen will cost around $473 million to develop, according to a definitive feasibility study released today.

Sirius Resources has inked a mining agreement with the Ngadju people, paving the way for the development of the world-class Nova nickel deposit near Norseman.

Balcatta-based Sirius Resources has been granted a mining lease by the Department of Mines and Petroleum for its proposed Nova nickel project near Balladonia.

Karl Simich and Mark Bennett are justifiably annoyed at having the companies they run added to an investment blacklist; but behind their frustration there is an enormously serious issue for every member of a superannuation fund – and that, in theory, is every working and recently retired Australian.

A WA mining executive believes it’s time the corporate sector was better educated on the way indigenous communities like to do business.

Sirius Resources has named the preferred contractors for various works at its $473 million Nova nickel project near Norseman, however contract values have not been disclosed as final terms are yet to be completed.

The tougher business climate has prompted some WA companies to cut executive salaries, but most have held the line and some have even awarded pay rises.

Sirius Resources has secured $440 million to fund the development of its Nova nickel mine, coinciding with it receiving mining approval from the Department of Mines and Petroleum.

There are not many mining projects on the cards for WA, but there are still opportunities in the sector for engineers and contractors.

Shares in Perth-based explorer Sirius Resources were up nearly 10 per cent today after it announced a gold discovery at its Polar Bear project near Norseman.

Sirius Resources has chopped $30 million off the cost of developing its Nova nickel project after getting final prices from contractors, including Barminco, which started work at the remote site east of Norseman this week.

Sirius Resources managing director Mark Bennett said today the company could be a gold miner before it becomes a nickel producer, following positive drilling results at its Baloo deposit.

The news from the iron ore and petroleum sectors may be disheartening for producers and investors alike, but another of Western Australia’s mineral exports is proving as resilient as stainless steel.

An expanded Independence Group would hope to eventually enter the ASX100, chief executive Peter Bradford told a Western Australian Mining Club lunch yesterday.

Sirius Resources, which is in the middle of a takeover by Independence Group, has formally awarded GR Engineering Services a $114 million engineering, procurement and construction contract at its Nova nickel mine in the Fraser Range.

Sirius Resources has sold off all of the nickel and copper it plans to produce out of its Nova mine in the first three years, after signing an offtake agreement with Glencore today.

Stakeholders in Sirius Resources have shown their support for the proposed acquisition by Independence Group, with three recommendations passing by an almost unanimous vote.

Woodside Petroleum’s ambitious play for Oil Search is a rare example of a Perth-based company being the bidder in a big takeover. Click through to see Business News’ listing and analysis of $1 billion-plus M&A deals in WA over the past 20 years.

Former Sirius Resources managing director Mark Bennett said there has been a “tidal wave” of offers from other groups wanting to work with his new exploration company, as he seeks to replicate the Sirius success story.

Former Sirius Resources boss Mark Bennett and director Neil Warburton have joined the board of Independence Group, which acquired Sirius in a $1.8 billion takeover last month.

Former Sirius Resources boss Mark Bennett’s new gold company, S2 Resources, has made a mediocre debut on the ASX with shares closing at 17 cents.

SPECIAL REPORT: The 2015 CEO salary survey has some surprising names near the top of the list while some of the state’s best chief executives are unexpectedly low down.

Mark Bennett has left the board of Independence Group to focus his attention on his gold exploration company S2 Resources.

Gary Johnson has been appointed non-executive chair of Platypus Minerals following the company’s acquisition of Lepidico, where he held the position of chair. He replaces the outgoing Platypus chair Laurie Ziatas, who has also resigned as non-executive director.

Mark Bennett’s gold hopeful, S2 Resources, has tapped investors for a $12.1 million capital raising to fund ongoing work at its Polar Bear project near Norseman.

Independence Group has officially opened its Nova nickel-copper mine in the Fraser Range, making it the company’s fourth producing operation.

Our board moves wrap includes David Flanagan, Adam Sierakowski, Fei He, Zhe Xu, DeShao Chen, ZiMin Zhang, Mark Reid, Albert Cheok, Jeff Dowling, Mark Bennett, Grey Egerton-Warburton, Alan Cransberg, David Wheeler, and Justin Klintberg.

Our board moves wrap includes Debra Bakker, Karen O'Neill, John Morris, Peter Lester, Nicole Adshead-Bell, Matthew Keane, and Mark Bennett.

Our board moves wrap includes Peter Newcomb, Clint Moxham, Daniel Murnane, Susan Jones, Eduard Eshuys, Mick Wilkes, Craig McGown, Tony Kiernan, Morgan Ball, Lee Stephens, Tommy McKeith, Nev Power, Dale Richards, and Mark Bennett.