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West Perth-based Equinox Minerals Ltd has secured a new $103 million loan facility, underwritten by a banking syndicate, for its Lumwana copper project in Zambia.

After teething problems with its processing plant, uranium miner Paladin Energy Ltd has achieved full production during the September quarter at its Langer Heinrich mine in Namibia.

Subiaco-based Poseidon Nickel Ltd will sack at least nine workers after the company said yesterday it had suspended work at the underground Mt Windarra Nickel Project in the Goldfields.

Emu tower struggles to sign up a builder; WA, Qld the winners in harvest, too; PM unlocks $20bn future fund; Analysts tip China slowdown to hit iron; Global economy fears overshadow bailout support

The global wait begins for an expected tight vote on the $US700 billion rescue package in the US House of Representatives after the Senate today passed the bailout plan designed to calm panicky bourses.

The global financial turmoil has hit the Andrew Forrest-chaired Poseidon Nickel Ltd, with the company suspending mining activities at its Mt Windarra underground mine in the Goldfields.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA has told a Senate inquiry into the Varanus Island gas explosion the approvals process has made the state's energy supply structure vulnerable.

Despite there being no firm launch date for the mutualisation of $9 billion fund manager GESB, a seven-member board has been unveiled that includes the who's who of the corporate world.

Former managing director of Woodside's green energy subsidiary Metasource, Richard Beresford, has been appointed to the board of West Perth-based energy company Green Rock Energy Ltd.

Grange Resources Ltd will pocket more than $13 million in cash after it agreed to sell a 30 per cent stake of its Southdown magnetite iron ore deposit to Sojitz Resources and Technology Pty Ltd.

Disgruntled shareholder Power United Ltd has stepped up its calls to remove the board of Cape Lambert Iron Ore Ltd after it formalised a $250 million deal to acquire a stake in an African iron ore project.

Zinc producer CBH Resources Ltd has launched a hostile $65 million takeover bid for Perilya Ltd, just over two months after the companies terminated a friendly merger proposal.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Ltd has denied speculation it has launched a takeover bid for BankWest.

Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett will raise Australia's investment relationship with China at today's Council of Australian Governments meeting in Perth.

Shares bounce back as US rescue hopes rise; BHP-Rio nod sparks stock rally; Inpex set out to avoid regulation: land council; CBA pounces on BankWest with low-ball offer; Breakthrough on national consumer laws

NATIONALS WA's Royalties for Regions plan, which is now a key element of the new government's policy platform, is going to be a true test for Colin Barnett and his team as they manage the state's finances.

The markets might be rocky but continued Chinese interest is making some wonder about our current foreign investment rules.

APARTMENT developers in the Perth CBD are preparing for the first wave of settlements on new projects, at a time when softening market conditions have left some projects unsold and others facing defaults on contracts.

WHILE the September quarter could best be described as a dismal one for initial public offers, the number of Western Australian firms listing on the stock market has largely remained steady compared with the previous quarter.

THE downturn in Western Australia's property sector has produced an increase in property repossessions and home loan arrears in the state, according to a report from the Reserve Bank of Australia.

IT has been a tough past few months for companies looking for extra cash, with the surge in market volatility causing investors to further tighten the purse strings.

MALAGA-BASED Complete Site Services is set to become Western Australia's newest player in the transportable mining accommodation sector, having being awarded a $65 million contract to supply and install a camp for 801 workers at Fortescue Metals Group's H

THE timber industry has incurred major losses and continues to struggle as a result of the state's gas crisis following the explosion at Varanus Island.

OFFICE fit-outs using energy-efficient designs and quirky layouts were recognised at this year's Design Institute of Australia WA design awards.

FORTESCUE Metals Group Ltd is closer to gaining access to Pilbara railways, after last week's High Court decision that some tracks were not part of BHP Billiton's production process.

While the state continues on its record run with $68 billion in exports, three big resource sector producers dominate the field.

RALLIES on global markets last week were a direct result of short covering and some over-exuberance by a few who have not yet lost all their investments or hope.

WESTERN Australia formally lost its bid to host a multi-billion dollar liquefied natural gas plant on Friday, with Japanese company Inpex Ltd and project partner Total E&P Australia announcing Darwin

MINERAL and petroleum commodities dominate Western Australian exports, with iron ore alone accounting for almost one-third of the state's total exports.

A COMBINATION of forces in the US including voter antipathy, partisanship and election year politics, has created further turmoil regarding the future stability of the US and world economies.

30 BARRY Nazer has been appointed as director of listed engineering firm VDM Group Ltd.

EXPORTERS should remain relatively shielded from any dramatic downturns in the global economy, with the demand from China expected to remain robust.