BHP may delay at least two mega projects to rein in spending

BHP Billiton, the world's biggest miner, is likely to delay signing off on at least two mega projects after its chairman put the brakes on an $80-billion plan to grow the company's iron-ore, copper and energy operations, analysts say. Slumping...

Australian gas users fear shortage as LNG exports grow

Australia is on its way to becoming the world's top exporter of liquefied natural gas, but industrial consumers on the country's east coast are worried gas producers will ship so much to Asia's booming economies that domestic supplies will be...

What's in a name? Rio Tinto gives Ivanhoe the blues

If ever there was any doubt about what Rio Tinto was really after in its pursuit of Canadian miner Ivanhoe Mines, the answer just became crystal clear. Ivanhoe Mines said on Wednesday it will ask shareholders in June to approve a new name for the...

Ivanhoe Australia says up to 8 bidders eyeing mine stakes

Gold and copper miner Ivanhoe Australia Ltd has received interest from up to eight bidders for stakes in its projects and may in the process end up with a new controlling stakeholder, said CEO Peter Reeve. Ivanhoe Australia, with a market value...

Company Announcement: PNG office expands Dynamiq's service capability

International emergency management provider Dynamiq has established an office in Papua New Guinea to support its growing client base and meet burgeoning need for its services in the country.

Greg Chochran

Position: MD ASX-listed Deep Yellow Main activity of company: Advanced stage uranium exploration and development Date and place of birth: September 14, 1961, Mufulira, Zambia Education: MBA, Cranfield School of Management, UK, 1996; MSc Eng...

Global miners tipped to hoard cash for deals, projects

Top global mining companies are set to report large, but modestly weaker, half-year profits and indicate they are keeping their billions in cash to chase deals and develop massive projects instead of handing it to shareholders. The July-December...

Company Announcement: RCT opens new branch

Australian mining technology supplier Remote Control Technologies has opened a new Queensland branch office, in Brisbane, continuing the build-up in regional support for its world-leading products.

TSX to welcome new gold major in March

Newcrest Mining, which reported a 20% drop in output for the December quarter, plans to list on the TSX by March, Australia’s biggest gold producer said on Tuesday. The ASX-quoted miner said it filed an application for a secondary listing in...

Surbiton cautions against extending MRRT to gold

Australian gold production fell by 2.4% in the September quarter, with the country producing 66 t, or 2.1-million ounces, said Melbourne-based Surbiton Associates. This was around 1.5 t less than the June quarter production, and also 1.5 t less...

BHP Billiton CFO to retire in Feb

BHP Billiton has named Graham Kerr as its new CFO to succeed Alex Vanselow, who will step down in early 2012, the world’s largest diversified miner announced on Monday. Vanselow has been CFO since 2006, and would retire from BHP at the end of...

BHP committed to growth despite more cautious outlook

BHP Billiton, the world’s largest diversified miner, said on Thursday it was more cautious on the short-term outlook for commodity markets, but stressed that it remained committed to its $80-billion organic growth plan. Speaking at the annual...