Mining

Crosslands Resources has appointed Fluor to refine a recent study over the Jack Hills expansion project, which is key to the development of the Oakajee port and rail operation.

Potash West is upbeat about its WA potash project, which is estimated to cost up to $880 million to develop a minimum 39-year operation.

Shares in Aspire Mining have surged after it struck several transactions with commodities trader Noble Group over the Ovoot coking coal project in Mongolia.

This week's jump in iron ore prices to 15-month highs delighted investors and politicians hoping that mining revenue would pour in again, but analysts are nervous about Chinese volatility.

Sirius Resources has relinquished two of its projects as it ramps up exploration at its Nova nickel-copper deposit, starting the new year with seven drill rigs.

Shares in Straits Resources have dropped after it suspended mining activities at its Indonesian operation in response to an order from the local government.

West Perth-based Coalspur has reaped $9.4 million following the exercise of options by a number of investors, including its largest shareholder.

Tiger Resources has mandated two South African banks to arrange a debt financing facility for stage two of its African copper project as results are released from the definitive feasibility study.

Gold miner St Barbara has sold its mothballed Southern Cross mining operation in WA to a Chinese company for $22.5 million in cash, as a Malaga-based company profits from the deal.

The board of Norton Gold Fields has approved a $38 million capital investment to move to an owner-operator model at its Paddington gold operation near Kalgoorlie.

Shares in Mermaid Marine Australia were higher after the oil and gas support company won a $50 million contract from BHP Billiton.

Mark Cutifani has resigned from his position as chief executive of AngloGold Ashanti to head mining giant Anglo American.

Fortescue Metals Group today announced the appointment of former Rio Tinto executive David Woodall as its new operations director, adding to a string of changes at the top of the iron ore miner.

Chinese-owned Yancoal Australia has secured $US596 million ($A570 million) in funds from its parent company.

The corporate watchdog will investigate if any laws were broken when Whitehaven Coal lost more than $276 million in market value after falling victim to a hoax media release.

Atlas Iron says it is on track to meet its near-term targeted annual production rate of 12 million tonnes, with production commencing at its Mt Dove mine and pre-strip mining and earthworks underwa

West Perth-based Haranga Resources has lined up a $6 million share placement to support the continued development of its flagship Selenge iron ore project in Mongolia.

GR Engineering Services has been awarded a key contract by Doray Minerals over the Andy Well gold project in Meekatharra.

Rare earths miner Lynas expects to be producing finished products from its controversial plant in Malaysia within weeks.

Gina Rinehart's private company Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd has belatedly revealed the scale of its income and profits by lodging annual returns for 2010 and 2011 with the Australian Securities and

Fortescue Metals Group will restart work at its Kings deposit in the Pilbara on the back of rising iron ore prices and an improving market outlook.

Straits Resources has bolstered its management team, appointing former Norton Gold Fields executives Andre Labuschagne and Robert Brainsbury as chief executive and chief financial officer.

MZI Resources has reached agreement with two major banks to secure a $54 million project finance facility for the Keysbrook mineral sands development south of Perth.

The frontrunner for Western Australia's first uranium mine says a delay in the federal environmental assessment process won't affect the proposed project schedule - for now.

Cortona Resources shareholders have thrown their overwhelming support behind a $25.6 million merger with Victoria's Unity Mining.

Mining services company Boart Longyear says it will continue to look for cost savings after implementing cuts that resulted in 2,500 job losses.

Billabong's chief financial officer Craig White has left the troubled surfwear retailer.

Perth-based exploration firm OreCorp has announced a backdoor listing on the ASX through fellow explorer Silver Stone Resources.

A building products manufacturer has been fined $45,000 after a supervisor had two fingers severed by a flywheel press.

Engineering services provider Plexal Group has been acquired by global firm SPIE Oil and Gas Services.

OZ Minerals says a recent fall in the company's share price can be put down to analysts' modelling of production and costs for 2012 and 2013.

There has been a small burst of activity in the flagging new floats sector, with three Western Australian firms completing initial public offers this week, raising more than $25 million collectivel