Mining

Global engineering company Wood Group has expanded its presence in Australia through the acquisition of Perth-based SVT Engineering Consultants.

Fortescue Metals Group plans to move to a full owner-operator model at its Christmas Creek mining operations after Downer EDI's contract expires at the end of September.

Senex Energy says it will vigorously dispute a $6.7 million compensation claim served by Ausdrill for a drilling contract terminated last year.

About 54 local jobs will be axed when RCR Tomlinson shuts down 14 operations across the country, with the company seeking to significantly reduce its exposure to the depressed coal market.

General Mining Corporation and Galaxy Resources have restarted mining and processing operations at the Mt Cattlin lithium mine near Ravensthorpe.

The resignation of Talisman Mining's managing director and the appointment of a new chief executive at Tiger Resources are among the recent board changes at four local junior miners.

Workers at one of Macmahon Holdings' operations in Nigeria have launched strike action after disputing end-of-project redundancy payments.

Metals X has acquired Kidman Resources' Gunga gold project near Kalgoorlie in a deal worth up to $2.5 million.

Western Areas and Panoramic Resources have announced plans to raise a combined $80.7 million from investors to continue work at their respective nickel operations in Western Australia.

ANALYSIS: It's not often that hyperbole merges with reality when it comes to resources, but WA's gold sector has just thrown conventional wisdom out the window.

Swick Mining Services has won two new contracts for work with Independence Group, while the local subsidiary of Queensland firm Hughes Drilling has also picked up more work.

The state government's privatisation program hit more trouble today, with a mining lobby group that represents the users of the Utah Point wharf condemning a lack of consultation on the proposed sale. It follows a move by the National Party on Tuesday to refer the sale legislation to a parliamentary committee.

Brockman Mining is set to defy the gloom in the iron ore market, announcing plans to develop its Maverick project in the Pilbara, with trucking group QUBE Holdings signed up to transport the ore to port.

Local explorer Salt Lake Potash has received commitments for an $8.4 million capital raising to fund ongoing work at its Lake Wells sulphate-of-potash project north of Laverton.

The Perth-based subsidiary of Watpac has won a $38 million contract to provide its services to Silver Lake Resources' Imperial and Majestic gold deposits south of Kalgoorlie.

Clive Palmer has lost a multi-million dollar court case over the alleged non-payment of royalties to his Mineralogy company, hindering plans for upgrades at his ailing Townsville nickel refinery.

The Supreme Court has appointed a receiver to take charge of the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation in the lead-up to a general meeting set for next month to settle a long-running dispute with a breakaway organisation backed by Fortescue Metals Group.

The Keysbrook mineral sands mine has had its lifespan almost trebled after a sharp increase in ore reserves, miner MZI Resources said today.

Alwyn Vorster has joined the board of graphite hopeful Mozambi Resources but will continue in his role as chief executive of API Management, which owns the West Pilbara iron ore project.

Energy giant Woodside Petroleum has put on hold its multi-billion dollar Browse liquefied natural gas project in view of the challenging market environment.

Perth's importance as a national business centre may have faded during recent months, but it's a different matter in the inner suburb of West Perth, where several small mining companies have sprung back to life.

The amount of money spent by businesses in Western Australia on research and development fell by 34 per cent in the five years to 2013-14, a new study has revealed.

Local explorers Black Rock Mining and Anson Resources have shed some light on their path towards producing graphite at their respective projects.

Padbury Mining could soon end its 15-month long ASX trade suspension after attracting a private Chinese investor for a $2 million capital raising.

State-owned Gold Corporation has revealed a $24.9 million pre-tax profit for the first half of the 2016 financial year on the back of higher volumes and cost rationalisation.

Iluka Resources is looking for a new chief executive after David Robb decided to step down in the second half of 2016.

Danakali has tapped investors for a $5.5 million capital raising to fund work at its Colluli potash project in Africa.

Local waste management firm Tox Free Solutions is expanding its east coast presence with the acquisition of Worth Corporation for $70 million.

Perth-based Panoramic Resources has released an updated scoping study on its renamed Gum Creek gold project in the Murchison region, which details plans for a smaller operation with a lower capex.

Shares in Perth-based MOD Resources surged 350 per cent today on positive drilling results at the company's copper tenements in Botswana.

The chief executive of mining giant Rio Tinto will hand the reins over to the leader of the company's copper and coal division later this year.

Flinders Mines shares have surged after the Pilbara focused iron ore junior received a $38 million takeover offer from private New Zealand company Todd Corporation, which last year offered to buy Flinders' major project.