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Mount Gibson Iron has cut 20 per cent of its staff in the past quarter as it focuses on reducing costs and preserving cash to combat weak iron ore prices.

Like ships passing in the night, Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey haven't seen a lot of each other recently.

The mining industry is adopting new technology it hopes will raise flexibility and lower costs in a changing environment.

The chief executive of the Shire of East Pilbara has called on the owner of Newman's only shopping centre to reduce rents.

Students at the University of Western Australia have partnered with Nedlands-based money manager Viburnum Funds to set up a $20,000 student-run managed fund.

Two Karratha businesswomen believe cheaper commercial rents are vital to ensuring the sustainable growth of small businesses as part of a plan to diversify the Pilbara's economy.

Production has declined at uranium player Paladin Energy's biggest mine after a well failed, but the company is upbeat about the prospects of exports to Japan and India.

Loss making mining services contractor Macmahon Holdings will cut another 40 staff and alter its corporate rosters to cut costs.

Metals explorer TNG has secured a $2 million placement to progress a feasibility study on its planned Mount Peake vanadium project in the Northern Territory.

The Snaptch app allows models and other creative professionals to showcase their portfolio and social media presence to the industry.

The state education minister has denied the opposition's claims classrooms will suffer as a result of job cuts at public schools.

The Australian share market has opened higher, following gain on Wall Street overnight.

The Australian dollar is higher after the release of some disappointing US economic data.

Gold rose from a three-week low on Thursday, following its biggest drop in over a month on Wednesday, as the dollar retreated on weaker-than-expected US economic data.

The Nasdaq exchange has smashed its 15-year-old record, breaking through the old mark set at the peak of the dot-com boom in 2000.

The premier has been slow to act on the anachronism that is the Potato Marketing Corporation, but a bucket load of federal money might force his hand.

Global oil prices have advanced as the Saudi Arabia-led coalition renews airstrikes in Yemen, stoking new supply concerns about the crude-rich Middle East.

Fremantle Ports has defended plans to privatise its automotive terminal, after the competition watchdog warned that putting a monopoly service in the hands of a private company could lead to higher prices for car buyers.

The Australian share market has closed higher as gains among the big miners offset losses in the financial sector.

Exploration firm Resource Star has announced plans to acquire a 60 per cent interest in a Chinese company which holds an exclusive licence to produce and distribute Candy Crush confectionery in Asia.

Fortescue Metals Group shares surged today after it surprised the market by completing a $US2.3 billion ($A2.9 billion) debt refinancing, while also benefiting from a much-needed lift in iron ore prices.

I've been taken for a ride twice in the past month. And while that personal experience might be of little interest to anyone else, it does throw some light on Perth's Uber versus taxi debate.

Sandfire Resources shares moved higher after the copper and gold producer increased production at its DeGrussa mine.

Maca and GR Engineering Services have become the preferred contractors for work at Cassini Resources' Nebo-Babel nickel project while also committing to the mining company's $8 million capital raising.

Treasurer Joe Hockey has welcomed moves by BHP Billiton to curb iron-ore production, which has boosted prices and in turn the prospect of a better budget outcome.

Sino Gas & Energy Holdings has completed an $80 million capital raising to fund a development plan for its onshore gas projects in China.

Mining services company Viento Group has gone into administration, despite having won major new contracts in the past month with iron ore miners BC Iron and Rio Tinto.

BC Iron is struggling to break even as weak prices forced the Pilbara miner to make deeper cost cuts.

Newcrest Mining has produced nearly 9 per cent more gold and received a near-12 per cent better price for it.

Consumers are ditching their desktop and laptop computers in favour of tablets and smart phones amid surging demand for streamed content, Telstra says.

The Australian share market has opened lower.

US stocks have posted solid gains following a big jump in US existing-home sales and a mixed bag of earnings reports from Boeing, McDonald's and others.