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ARC Energy's erstwhile substantial shareholder and its corporate thorn in the side, Mineralogy, finally announced a notice of ceasing to be a substantial shareholder in Arc on June 11, fully six months after it began to sell its holding last December.

Plans to turn over ownership of the state's $9 billion superannuation manager GESB to 295,000 members have been thrown into disarray, with the body and the government apparently unable to conclude a deal at the 11th hour.

Western Australian companies have delivered diverse results in a report of corporate governance standards by chartered accountants WHK Horwath.

Fifteen years after establishing Perth's first internet service provider, iiNet boss Michael Malone retains a disarming honesty and humour that is rarely found in chief executives.

Kitcraft Kitchens began in a small showroom and assembly area in Wangara in 1999 and in seven years has grown to eight locations throughout the state, with all manufacturing and assembly done in-house.

Three manufacturing companies in Perth with exposure to the booming resources sector have reported good news this month, despite having to contend with increased competition from Asian suppliers.

Organisations willing to tackle disadvantage and display their social conscience will reap positive long-term benefits across many layers of their operations, according to Workability's Keith Bales.

Improving co-ordination between government departments and making the public sector an attractive place to work will be among the key priorities for the woman about to take over as Department of Industry and Resources director general, Anne Nolan.

Ask the average punter in Perth where to find good coffee, quality wine, fine dining and boutique designer outlets, all in a street with a heritage feel, and they'll probably tell you to try a different state.

The failure of Pankaj Oswal's Burrup Holdings Ltd to appear on the stock market failed to put a dampener on Western Australian companies' enthusiasm for going public, largely defying a falling share market thanks to the resource boom.

WesternAustralia's first official single malt whisky, Limeburners, was unveiled this week by the Great Southern Distilling Company.

Sanderson takes on agent general role OUTGOING Fremantle Ports chief executive Kerry Sanderson (pictured) has been appointed as the new Western Australian representative in Europe.

The takeovers scene in Western Australia has changed significantly during the past year, with the ongoing boom boosting the stocks of local players and prompting an increasing presence from international investment banks.

THE Kemerton power station near Bunbury has received an upgrade that will allow it to increase output by more than 40 megawatts in summer while reducing its carbon footprint.

If it were just about money, the investment bankers and their other advisory colleagues would find life a lot easier.

THE state government has almost doubled funding to City West-based interactive science museum, Scitech, in a bid to overcome the dearth of scientists, technology experts and engineers in Australia.

When asked what he considered was the anniversary date of last year's Coles Group Ltd takeover, Wesfarmers Ltd managing director Richard Goyder nominates July 21 as the most appropriate.

WEST Perth-based minerals company, Murchison United NL, is set to be repositioned as a global uranium company after unveiling a strategic alliance with industrial and nuclear energy giant Areva NC.

New laws to reform the 457 visa program are expected to increase costs for employers and make the system more difficult to use, according to some industry groups and migration consultants.

Gresham Advisory PartnersMichael Ashforth Branch office

SUBIACO-BASED mineral explorer, Haddington Resources Ltd, will press ahead with its expansion strategy into drilling services via acquisitions, this time eyeing Brisbane-based company Phoenix Drillin

PT Bumi Resources Tbk has increased its takeover offer for Herald Resources by 5 cents, putting an end to the stalemate with rival bidder Antam-Zhongjin as the latter demands a break fee of $5 million.

West Perth-based Giralia Resources NL will soon have a healthy bank balance of $77 million after it finalised the sale of its remaining interest in fellow Perth company Red Hill Iron Ltd.

The legal stoush between Subiaco-based explorer TNG Ltd and the Commonwealth government has been adjourned until August as the company's share price jumps 68 per cent on the discovery of high-grade iron in the Northern Territory.

The state government will launch an online gas trading bulletin board on Thursday, but energy minister Francis Logan warned the scheme is not the sole answer to the gas supply crisis.

West Perth-based Alchemy Resources Ltd has expanded its footprint in the gold sector following a move to acquire the Western Australian division of Polymetals Group Pty Ltd which holds gold projects near Kalgoorlie.

Subiaco-based Balkans Gold Ltd will undergo a name change as it expands its geographical reach to Africa following an agreement to acquire West African Resources Ltd for $1.5 million.

Another financial year is over and some investors may be licking the wounds from one of the worst trading years since 1987, but the Agri sector has proved to be a boon for some shareholders.

Horizon Power chairman and senior government advisor Brendan Hammond has been appointed chairman of the Dampier Port Authority.

BHP poised to match Rio's massive iron ore price leap; Boom sends city rents soaring to Paris levels; China warns Labor on curbs; Iluka gets lift from BHP success; Market debutant fuels frenzy over phosphate

Luxury hotel operator Stamford Land Corporation Ltd has announced it will begin construction of a $140 million, 13-level office tower at 905 Hay Street this month, with the building contract for the project having been awarded to Diploma Constructions (WA

Sydney-based resource investment firm RIMCapital Ltd has backed Yilgarn Infrastructure Ltd's proposal to develop the Oakajee port, by subscribing for $2 million worth of shares.