Mining

Two microgrid projects worth a combined $123 million have moved forward today as the technology becomes increasingly mainstream, with Gold Fields and GMA Garnet mine sites to have big renewable power and storage components.

An exotic mineral once mined Iluka Resources could bring about a resurgence in demand, as US-China tensions persist.

Mining services firm Macmahon Holdings has acquired underground mining contractor GBF, which currently has around $266 million worth of work in its order book.

Shares in Pilbara Minerals have fallen up to 10 per cent today after June quarter sales from its Pilgangoora project are expected to be lower than originally anticipated, due to construction delays by its offtake partners.

Wesfarmers subsidiary Evol LNG has secured a six-year deal to supply gas for a 14.5-megawatt power station to be operated by Zenith Energy at the Kirkalocka gold mine.

Prospect Resources has raised $5.2 million via a share placement and share options exercise, with the funds raised to be utilised for general working capital.

AusGroup and Southern Cross Electrical Engineering have each announced several contract wins, each worth a combined figure of around $25 million.

Saracen Mineral Holdings has made an all-scrip takeover offer for Fremantle-based gold explorer Bligh Resources, as it seeks to increase the resource for its Thunderbox operations.

Fortescue Metals Group has signed a conditional farm-in and joint venture agreement with Perth-based Tasman Resources for an exploration project in South Australia.

Symbol Mining has gone into administration, less than three months after the Subiaco junior tapped the market for nearly $2.2 million.

Adani has declared it's full steam ahead for its controversial coal mine after the Queensland government issued the final approval the company needs to begin construction.

Market research firm IBISWorld has identified five large gold mines in Western Australia set to shut down by 2025 because of low reserves, less than a month after a prominent gold mining consultancy rejected reports that Australian gold production is set to fall substantially.

Macmahon Holdings has flagged the possibility of a $25 million to $35 million provision against its contract at the Telfer gold project amid ongoing negotiations with the project's owner Newcrest Mining.

Australian Mines has launched an underwritten share purchase plan, with the funds raised to advance its Sconi project.

Emeco Holdings expects its earnings for this financial year to rise by nearly 40 per cent compared with the prior corresponding period.

Multiplex has commenced construction of the 604-bed Bay Village accommodation facility for Woodside Petroleum's fly-in, fly-out workers in Karratha.

Financing inflows for ASX-listed juniors and small cap explorers recovered in the March quarter, with lithium companies among the biggest beneficiaries, according to the latest research from BDO.

Cazaly Resources has signed an agreement to sell its Parker Range iron ore project in the Yilgarn region to private explorer Gold Valley Iron for up to $13.35 million plus royalties.

TNG is set to raise $15 million via a share placement and rights issue, while Lithium Australia has announced a $6.5 million rights issue.

Rio Tinto has backed a STEM initative in the Pilbara, while Fortescue Metals Group has thrown its support behind Ricky Grace's Girls Academy.

PolarX will undertake a $4.3 million rights issue, less than a week after it secured the same amount via an earn-in investment from Lundin Mining.

Mincor Resources will bring a halt to its gold operations by September, having last month announced a capital raising to facilitate the restart of its Kambalda nickel project.

Rio Tinto has awarded a contract around $30 million to Onsite Rental Group to provide ancillary and light mobile equipment over the next three years.

Mining services contractor Ausdrill anticipates a non-cash impairment of between $75 million and $95 million in its results for this financial year.

Base metals junior Peel Mining has raised $7 million through an oversubscribed share placement, with the funds to go towards its projects in the Cobar Basin in NSW.

Salt Lake Potash has raised $20.25 million via a share placement, with the funds set to advance the development of its Lake Way project.

Tim Roberts, whose estimated net worth varied wildly in three recent rich lists, has stepped away from the public limelight by resigning from the board of ASX-listed Mineral Resources.

Wesfarmers has appointed a Perth-based company director and member of the Takeovers Panel to its board as a non-executive director.

Shares in Dacian Gold have plunged up to 68 per cent today after a significant downgrade of June quarter production guidance from its flagship Mt Morgans operation.

Titan Minerals has raised $20 million via a share placement, as the Subiaco-based junior seeks to complete its acquisition of Canada-based Core Gold and advance Core's Dynasty Goldfield project in Ecuador.

Uranium explorer Deep Yellow and Rare earths hopeful Pensana Metals have raised $9 million and $5 million, respectively, as the two companies seek to advance their projects in Africa.

Shares in NRW Holdings have fallen by as much as 13.5 per cent today, following a revision in its forecast for the second half of this financial year after Gascoyne Resources entered administration on Sunday.