Stock index provider S&P Indices has announced Atlas Iron and Equinox Minerals have joined the ranks of the top 100 Australian companies, while five other Western Australia-based firms have been elevated to the S&P/ASX 300.
Ghana-focused gold miner Adamus Resources joined fellow goldminers Beadell Resources and Ramelius Resources in the top 300, alongside engineering firms Forge Group and Matrix Composites and Engineering.
Adamus announced in January it had notched a key milestone in the development of is Nzema gold project in Ghana, when it poured its first gold bar.
Beadell was listed just last year, and a series of positive exploration results and successful capital raisings has pushed the stock up to around 83 cents.
Ramelius Resources lodged a $47 million half-year profit midway through last month.
For the engineers, Forge Group said it was targeting annual revenue of $500 million after lodging a $21.2 million interim profit, while Matrix followed its successful IPO in November 2009 by increasing its half year profit to $19.2 million.
Also, fresh from its acquisition of WA-based metallurgical and minerals testing service firm Ammtec last year, Queensland based laboratory services group Campbell Brothers was listed in the S&P/ASX 300.
Neptune Marine Services and base metals explorer Perilya were the only businesses from WA to drop out of the top 300.
S&P's quarterly review of its entire ASX index suite considers the aggregate market capitalisation and liquidity of stocks for the preceding 6 months as a basis for eligibility.
The changes will be made effective after the close of business March 18.
