This week in wa – 10 years ago

ENGINE parts maker Orbital Engine Corp was on the verge of nailing its colours to the mast of outboard engine maker Mercury, this week 10 years ago.

That decision paved the way for its move from an engine maker to its more promising current role as engine parts maker, specialising in fuel injection systems.

Orbital, disappointed that its hopes of a big car maker deciding to use its two-stroke engine, announced the formation of a joint venture to design, manufacture and sell fuel systems for low emission, economical, small engines.

Mercury Marine, a unit of US giant Brunswick Corp, planned to make premium horsepower marine engines using Orbital’s direct fuel injected system.

As Orbital was eyeing its new future, base metals producers were contemplating growing prices as the costs of rebuilding earthquake ravaged Kobe continued to mount.

That demand had Precious Metals Australia considering reviving its Windimurra project that it had shelved due to low vanadium prices.

In the corporate world, Clough Limited decided that it would not progress with plans to become a listed public company, even though it had been a public unlisted company for the past 16 years.

The company told the media that it felt the benefits of going public would not outweigh the disadvantages.

Transfield Shipping proved Australia’s largest shiplift facility could live up to its billing.

The company successfully lifted the HMAS Torrens out of the water for routine maintenance and major hull and engine work.

The shiplift facility had been co-funded by the WA and Federal governments and proposed as part of the State Government’s failed bid to build the Royal Australian Navy’s Collin’s Class submarines.

Alan Bond’s bankrupty trustee Robert Ramsay announced he was pressing on with a planned creditors’ meeting despite failing to gain access to documents detailing the failed businessman’s overseas dealings.

Mr Bond had previously offered his personal creditors $3.25 million to cover debts of $599 million.

The documents Mr Ramsay sought were being held by WA Director of Public Prosecutions John McKechnie QC.

They had been uncovered by Rothwells task force investigator Joseph Lieberfreund while he had been in London between 1991 and 1993 investigating the affairs of former Rothwells chief Laurie Connell.

On the resources front, Ashton Mining announced an output increase of about 2.8 million carats from its 40.1 per cent owned Argyle diamond mine.

The company had also made some progress on expanding the mine in 1994.

The Tarmoola gold mine continued to prove its potential for Mt Edon Gold Mines with rich drilling hits being returned.

The news was also good for fellow gold player Mineral Commodities which reported exploration success at Mungari West near Coolgardie. Initial estimates suggested a resource target of five million tonnes containing 300,000 ounces of gold.

And gold explorers around the State were waiting for geochemical maps of the State, the latest exploration tool available from the Department of Minerals and Energy.

Western Mining Corporation put out the news that nickel production from its $400 million Mt Keith project had been responsible for a 23 per cent jump in production.

It also announced a record November effort for its Kalgoorlie smelter of 54,664 tonnes of matte produced for the half-year, thanks to a major refit.

Also on the nickel front, CRA was fending off rumours that it had taken an interest in Anaconda Nickel, Central Bore or the nickel laterite deposits around the Central Bore’s land. The company denied that it was poised to take a stake in Anaconda, Central Bore or the deposits.

Westralian Sands announced plans to develop a $25 million quicklime operation at Dongara.

On the sporting front, the State cricket side shrugged off the worst start to a season in 30 years to storm to the top of the Sheffield Shield table.

Top spot on the table came courtesy of a crushing victory over Queensland at the Gabba.