Mining

Auris Minerals chairman Bronwyn Barnes has disclosed that some of the people seeking to oust her had been negotiating a farm-in proposal last year without the knowledge of the company's board.

Perth-based mining company South32 has implemented new leave provisions that exceed those of most other employers, offering six months' parental leave on full pay and up to 10 days of paid domestic violence leave.

Subiaco-based Carbine Resources has pulled the pin on its planned redevelopment of the Mount Morgan copper-gold project in Queensland, in which it has already invested $12 million, while managing director Tony James and two directors have tendered their resignation.

Iron ore prices will fall more than 10 per cent to be about $US60 per tonne next year, partly driven by increased scrap metal availability, according to Citigroup Asia commodities strategist Tracy Liao.

Cost pressures are starting to return to the mining sector, according to BHP Billiton WA Iron Ore boss Edgar Basto, as the company continues preliminary work with potential contractors ahead of a decision on the South Flank development in the next few months.

Company director Robert (Bob) Kennedy, who was a director or chairman of four ASX-listed companies, has passed away after a short illness.

A local business offering the potential to reduce maintenance downtime in the mining and related industries has secured a national distributor for its fast-release nut design.

Graphite explorer Graphex Mining has raised $2.5 million to fund an updated feasibility study and complete finance and offtake arrangements at its Chilalo project in Tanzania.

Indonesian group Eastern Field has taken control of Finders Resources, five months after announcing its takeover deal, which values the copper miner at about $177 million.

A $100 million tax incentive scheme to encourage resources exploration and arrest the decline in Western Australia's mining sector passed the Senate today.

West Perth-based Beadell Resources has announced plans to merge with a Canadian mining exploration firm to create a dual-listed company on the ASX and the TSX venture exchange.

South African construction group Raubex has taken a 70 per cent stake in local engineering contractor Westforce Construction for $6.5 million.

Perth-based Mincor Resources has approved the development of its Widgiemooltha gold project, located in the Goldfields, with mining set to commence next month.

TNG has signed an agreement with a jointure venture between Adelaide-based contractor McMahon Services and Clough to provide engineering and construction services at its Mount Peake vanadium project.

Three local junior explorers have raised more than $21 million, with Draig Resources and Triton Minerals boosting their coffers while the Charlie Bass-led Eagle Mountain Mining has commenced trading on the ASX after raising $8 million via an initial public offering.

Andrew Forrest has lost his latest court fight against a sand miner operating on his cattle station in WA's Pilbara region.

Gold miner St Barbara has taken a 10 per cent stake in local explorer ABM Resources as part of its recently announced $6 million capital raising.

Shares in Altura Mining, which is on the brink of lithium production, jumped this morning after the $770 million company confirmed it was in discussions with its largest shareholder in relation to a potential control transaction.

Tawana Resources has opened the state's fifth lithium operation, with the ASX-listed company announcing today that production has started at its jointly owned Bald Hill project in the eastern Goldfields.

The Takeovers Panel has dismissed an application from Indonesian group Eastern Field Developments regarding its takeover target Finders Resources, with the panel determining that appropriate action has been taken by the company in relation to its Wetar project.

The state, which is not a big steel exporter but produces some of the key raw materials, could suffer collateral damage in a full trade war.

Gulf Manganese Corporation has secured a $15 million funding package, led by an Indonesian investment group, to complete construction of the company's first two smelters at its Kupang smelting hub in West Timor.

Lithium explorer AVZ Minerals has signed a memorandum of understanding with a major Chinese battery producer for potential investment and offtake opportunities.

Image Resources has launched a $25 million capital raising that will contribute to the construction of its Boonanarring mineral sands project near Gingin, which is targeting production by the end of the year.

Peel Mining spin-out Saturn Metals began trading on the ASX today after the gold explorer raised $7 million through an initial public offering.

Core Drilling Services has secured a contract with BCI Minerals for a major drilling program planned at its Buckland iron ore project located in the Pilbara.

The Conservation Council of Western Australia and traditional owners are continuing their fight against Cameco's planned Yeelirrie uranium mine, lodging an appeal against a Supreme Court decision to uphold the environmental approval.

A number of local mining companies have moved up the stock market rankings, with contractor Ausdrill included in the S&P ASX 200 index, while South32 has been admitted into the top 20 as part of the market's quarterly rebalance.

Indonesian group Eastern Field Developments has increased its stake in Finders Resources as the major shareholder pursues a hostile takeover of the copper miner valued at around $177 million.

40under40: First Amongst Equals winner Raleigh Finlayson has drawn on his childhood experiences in WA's outback to run one of the state's biggest gold mining companies.

Gold hopeful Egan Street Resources has secured $11.9 million of funding via the exercise and underwriting of the company's listed options, with the proceeds to be used at its Rothsay project.

Gold miner Northern Star Resources has agreed to purchase the South Kalgoorlie mine from Westgold Resources in a cash and scrip deal worth $80 million.