Ron Sayers

Mining services company Ausdrill has suffered a 148.5 per cent fall in full-year profit to make a loss of $43.9 million, on the back of $77.9 million in write-downs and impairment charges as a result of the diminished outlook for mining services.

Ausdrill managing director Ron Sayers has been discharged from the Supreme Court today after the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict on tax evasion charges against himself and former Barminco boss Peter Bartlett – for the second time.

Mining services company Ausdrill may be $8 million out-of-pocket after Western Desert Resources announced it had fallen into the hands of administrators on Friday.

Perth mining contractor Barminco has won an extension to its contract with miner Western Areas to carry out $190 million of underground mining development and production activities at its Spotted Quoll and Flying Fox nickel mines.

Mining contractor Barminco has been affected by a weaker resources sector but has cut costs to grow its margin on a weaker revenue base.

Ausdrill announced today that the proceedings in the Supreme Court against its chief executive officer Ron Sayers have been discontinued.

Ausdrill non-executive director Wal King has resigned from his role just three years after joining the company.

Subiaco-based gold company Perseus Mining says it will proceed with plans to develop its Sissingue mine in West Africa, following promising results in a revised feasibility study.

Former VDM Group boss Andrew Broad has returned to his former employer, mining services business Ausdrill, and will become its chief operating officer of Australian operations.

Local mining services companies Ausdrill, Emeco Holdings and Lycopodium have posted net losses for the financial year, with lower activity in the resources sector weighing on their pipelines of available work.

NRW Holdings chairman Ian Burston has announced plans to step down, while also announcing a remuneration review that will include chief executive Julian Pemberton, whose annual pay is substantially higher than his peers.

Former corporate lawyer Ian Cochrane has joined the board of Ausdrill as deputy chairman, adding to a suite of board positions on the private companies of some of Perth’s wealthiest families.

Mining services company Ausdrill has announced plans to sell its underperforming DT HiLoad truck tray manufacturing business, and is in discussions with several interested parties.

Western Australia’s highest paid mining contractor is set to lose that title, after NRW Holdings joined most of its peers in cutting the salary of its chief executive by 40 per cent.

Perth-based Ausdrill has won a $157 million contract to provide mining services to Perseus Mining’s Edikan gold mine in Ghana.

Shares in mining services business Ausdrill surged on the company’s return to profitability and a bullish outlook on the year ahead.

Perth-based Ausdrill has been named preferred proponent for a $300 million mining services contract at Toro Gold’s Mako project in West Africa.

Mining services company Ausdrill has expanded its partnership with Hockey Australia, while AGL Energy has sponsored the West Coast Eagles as it seeks to lift its profile ahead of its planned entry to the Western Australian gas market.

Mining services business Ausdrill has delivered a solid full-year result on the back of strong performance in its gold operations in Africa, and is targeting further growth in the year ahead.

Ausdrill's long-serving chairman, Terry O’Connor, has announced he is handing over the reins to his deputy Ian Cochrane later this year, putting to rest a 24-year career with the mining services business.

Mining services company Ausdrill has secured three contract extensions, highlighted by a two-year, $US108 million ($142 million) deal at the Iduapriem gold mine in Ghana.

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Former Cricket Australia senior manager Sam Almaliki has been appointed executive director of Activistic. Mr  Almaliki has extensive experience in leading and advising on strategy, change and growth in sport within corporate, not-for-profit, NGO and government sectors.

Grant Quasha has resigned as managing director and chief executive of Paringa Resources. Todd Hannigan, current deputy chair, will take over as interim chief executive until a suitable candidate has been appointed. Mr  Hannigan was previously Paringa’s chief executive.