Jessica Mascione

Rio Tinto has approved a $US1.5 billion investment to continue production at its Kennecott copper mine in the US, while also announcing it will limit operations at one of its minerals projects in South Africa, following an attack on two of its employees.

Western Australia’s property sector has welcomed the state government's announcement of a $150 million housing investment package for first home buyers and low income earners.

Junior explorer Ausgold has received commitments to raise $2.4 million through a share placement and up to $1.2 million via a share purchase plan to fast-track exploration at the company’s Katanning gold project in Western Australia.

The housing recovery has finally reached Perth, with dwelling values edging 0.4 per cent higher in November to record the city’s first month-on-month rise since early last year, according to the latest report from CoreLogic.

Uranium explorer Peninsula Energy is planning a $9.1 million capital raising to fund costs associated with its mines in the US, while De Grey Mining is planning to raise $5 million to fund exploration activities at its Mallina gold project, near Port Hedland.

Empired shares have risen more than 8 per cent today after the IT services provider forecasted an increase in net profit and earnings per share for the current financial year, on the back of a $200 million pipeline of multi-year contracts to contest.

Alkane Resources has received commitments to raise $20 million through a share placement, and up to $34.8 million through a 1-for-8 rights issue, to accelerate exploration and development programs in the Tomingley gold corridor in New South Wales.

West Perth-based Catalyst Metals has received commitments to raise $7.9 million through a share placement, backed by Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting, to accelerate its Four Eagles and Tandarra gold projects in Victoria.

Construction company John Holland said it was seeking more than $300 million in compensation from the state government, following a two-year dispute in relation to the Perth Children's Hospital contract.