Shares in aspiring Mid-West iron ore miner Venus Metals Corporation surged over 11 per cent today after it confirmed a better than expected magnetite resource at its Yalgoo iron ore project, east of Geraldton.

WESTERN Australia's rare earths and lithium potential have become major selling points to overseas investors for state and federal representatives touting the nation's resources opportunities on the international conferences circuit.

A major restructure of Pilbara fertiliser producer Burrup Holdings is believed to be under discussion in a bid to resolve the ongoing battle between its estranged owners, Indian businessman Pankaj Oswal and Norwegian giant Yara International.

THE Western Australian government has stepped up its campaign to derail a proposed Canberra-controlled safety regulator for the entire offshore petroleum industry, which it fears will gut its influence over a core industry.

THE growing internationalisation of Western Australia's resources sector is creating a range of major new challenges for local services companies as they deal with an ever more exotic client base.