Matt Mckenzie

Mineral sands producer Iluka Resources has scaled back a proposed accommodation camp at the planned Cataby project near Cervantes in a move to reduce capital costs as it works to complete a feasibility study.

An improved performance by some of the state’s miners boosted the Business News index of listed Western Australian companies, the BN30, to finish almost 19 per cent higher over the year (2016).

Two listed investment companies controlled by Euroz Securities will pay out nearly $5 million in half-year dividends, with Westoz Investment Company announcing a 3 cent per share payout for investors while Ozgrowth will distribute 0.25 cents per share.

A lift in Western Australia's merchandise exports to China of nearly $700 million from October to November helped Australia record its first trade surplus in three years, but more could be on the way this year.

Lithium exploration at Forrestania, north of Ravensthorpe, will be a priority for Marindi Metals after the company completed a capital raising worth nearly $3.2 million.

West Perth-based technology company Brainchip Holdings has announced it has deployed its card game monitoring technology at Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut, US.

A fall of 5.6 per cent in new vehicle sales for the past year in Western Australia, to 100,234, takes to nearly 22 per cent the reduction in annual sales since 2012.

ASX-listed manufacturer Alexium International Group has signed an initial agreement to supply chemicals to a US homewares company for a new line of cool-touch pillows, in a move the company said could eventually generate revenues of $US10 million per annum.

The Roe 8 road project will be cancelled if the Labor Party wins the upcoming state election, opposition leader Mark McGowan said today, even though the government has already signed a contract for construction, with $236 million of funding to be re-allocated to three alternative roads.