Matt Mckenzie

The state government has appointed Infrastructure Australia board member Nicole Lockwood to chair a new taskforce to plan a Kwinana outer harbour development, as Transport Minister Rita Saffioti indicated she would stare down internal party dissent about the project.

Kidman Resources has finalised a $110 million joint venture agreement with Chilean company SQM for the Mt Holland lithium project, while Altura Mining has begun extracting ore at its Pilgangoora lithium project.

Shares in Brisbane-based Diatreme Resources were up 20 per cent today as the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese company ENFI Engineering Corporation to undertake a bankable feasibility study at the Cyclone mineral sands project.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA will be hunting for a new chief executive after Deidre Willmott signalled she would move on from the role early next year to pursue non executive director opportunities.

Gold miners have warned of devastating consequences from a higher royalty rate, including potential mine closures, while business groups have also taken aim at proposed payroll tax hikes for larger employers, after both were targeted in a $1 billion revenue grab by the state government in today’s budget.

The state government has strengthened its ban on fracking in Perth and the South West, while moving to appoint Environmental Protection Authority chairman Tom Hatton to run a scientific inquiry into the drilling technique.

SPECIAL REPORT: Whether they’re manufacturing locally or abroad, WA fashion designers and garment makers are still winning contracts and stockists here and overseas.

Chinese company Citic has recorded a first-half loss at the Sino Iron magnetite mine in the Pilbara, while warning that the ongoing tussle with tenement holder, Clive Palmer’s Mineralogy, means production at the project could eventually be suspended.

MMA Offshore has posted a $378 million loss for the 2017 financial year on the back of a huge impairment and the halving of revenue from its oil and gas-focused vessel operations.