Fortescue opens new berth in Port Hedland

Iron-ore miner Fortescue Metals on Friday officially opened its new iron-ore berth in Port Hedland. The berth was the first of two to be constructed at the Herb Elliott port, which would achieve a 120-million ton a year capacity by 2013.

WA puts A$37.5m aside for greenfield exploration

The Western Australian state government would be spending some A$37.5-million over the next two years to attract exploration expenditure in the state. In its recent Budget, the state government allocated funds to the second phase of the...

Western Australia to review state royalties

The Western Australian government on Thursday reported that it would be conducting a review on its royalty system over the next three years. In delivering the state budget, Treasurer Christian Porter noted that the review would deliver a...

WA to fund mineral, energy research projects

The Western Australian Chamber of Minerals and Energy (CME) on Wednesday welcomed the state government’s announcement that it would fund some A$65 000 of research projects in the mineral and energy industries. Mines and Petroleum Minister...

Woodside delays Browse LNG decision to 2013

Oil and gas major Woodside has received federal and state approval to delay its final investment decision on the proposed $30-bilion Browse liquefied natural gas (LNG) project. Federal Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson and Western...

WA drops case against Apache over gas explosion

Western Australia’s Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore said on Thursday he was “frustrated” with the state government’s decision to withdraw its case against Apache Energy over the Varanus Island gas explosion. In 2009, the state...

WA boosts mineral exploration

Western Australia’s Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore on Wednesday awarded A$6-million in funding under the state government’s co-funded Exploration Drilling Programme. The final round of the 2011 funding was awarded to 52 applicants,...

MMG breaks ground on new WA openpit copper mine

Western Australia’s Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore on Friday welcomed a $22-million investment from copper miner Minerals and Metals Group (MMG), which is expanding its Golden Grove openpit mine. The $22-million investment would...

WA paves way for mineral explorers

Mineral exploration in Western Australia on Tuesday received a boost after Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore released the world’s largest satellite derived geosciences map capturing the entire state. Moore said the Advanced Spaceborne...

Optimism returns to Western Australia nickel sector

There has been a resurgence of interest in the Western Australian nickel industry since the end of the global financial crisis, Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore said on Thursday. The Western Australian nickel industry was hit hard during...

WA's resource sales cross A$100bn-mark

Western Australia’s resources sales reached a record A$101.2-billion for the past financial year, Mines and Petroluem Minister Norman Moore said on Friday. He noted that the state’s resources continued to be the backbone of its economy with...

More companies applying for exploration and mining permits online

The Western Australian government on Tuesday reported that over half of the mining companies in the state applying for exploration and mining permits have made use of the online lodgement facilities, reflecting the state government’s improved...