Shale gas
BHP calls for US to allow energy exports
Peter Ker BHP Billiton chairman Jac Nasser has urged the US to allow energy exports from its shores, declaring that all energy should be globally traded.
Gas
Beach contract with Origin worth up to $1.2b
Peter Ker Beach Petroleum’s new gas supply deal with Origin Energy could be worth more than $1.2 billion if market expectations of the price paid are correct.
Karratha the fastest growing mining town
The oil and gas hub of Karratha in Western Australia is leading the nation's mining towns in population growth.
Takeover
Sundance slumps after Hanlong bid fails
Peter Ker Sundance Resources has finally conceded that its prolonged takeover deal with Chinese group Hanlong has failed.
Legal
Rinehart hits back at journalists
Lawyers for billionaire Gina Rinehart have claimed her legal pursuit of several journalists is not intended to force them to reveal their sources - but rather a request for information pertaining to...
Energy
IMF urges end to $1.8 trillion in energy subsidies
Energy subsidies cost governments from the U.S. to Egypt $1.8 trillion, discourage private investment and help wealthy consumers more than the poor, according to a study by International Monetary...
Copper
Rio's Mongolia mine hits another hurdle
Peter Ker Significant design changes have been proposed for Rio Tinto's most important growth asset as the company seeks to offset rising costs at the massive Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia.
Engineering
UGL mulls property demerger
Philip Wen UGL has flagged the possible spin-off of its DTZ property services business as part of a review of the contractor’s group structure.
Technical analysis
Oil prices set for a breakout, but which way will they go?
Rod Myer Oil prices have been relatively strong in recent times despite the economic weakness in Europe and North America. But it has been trading in an ever-narrowing band since January 2009.
Coal
Whitehaven cutting jobs due to dollar
Whitehaven Coal is laying off 40 workers as it cuts costs to deal with lower coal prices and the high Australian dollar.
Takeover
Hanlong 'unlikely' to meet Sundance deadline
Philip Wen Sundance Resources chairman George Jones says it is ‘‘unlikely’’ Sichuan Hanlong would be able to meet a key financial deadline for its $1.
Takeover
Sundance suitor detained by Chinese police
Philip Wen The protracted takeover for iron ore hopeful Sundance Resources has been plunged into further doubt after reports its billionaire suitor has been detained by Chinese authorities.
New era
Change at the top for BC Iron
Peter Ker Australia’s best performing iron ore junior has undergone a change of leadership, with BC Iron managing director Mike Young making way for his Finance Director Morgan Ball.
IPO
More than Buffett in IPB Petroleum
Peter Ker Heard the rumour about Warren Buffett being linked to a new float on the ASX?
Metals
Teck tipped as buyer of Rio's Iron Ore Co
A hunt for acquisitions by Teck is likely leading to a bid for Rio Tinto's stake in Iron Ore Co of Canada, the country’s largest producer of commodity.
Mulsanne
Tinkler grilled over failed Blackwood deal
Paddy Manning Nathan Tinkler has put the blame for the collapse of his planned share investment in Blackwood on commodities trader Noble Group.
Unsustainable
Iron ore to fall from record highs
Peter Ker A sustained retreat in iron ore prices appears to be underway, with the benchmark price for Australia's most lucrative export slipping to its lowest point of 2013.
Coal
Aurizon wins Xstrata rail contract
Freight rail operator Aurizon has won a coal haulage contract in Queensland with mining giant Xstrata.
Buffer zones force stop to north coast gas project
Sean Nicholls, Paddy Manning The coal seam gas company Metgasco has put a major development on hold in northern NSW in response to the state government's decision to introduce ''buffer zones'' around residential areas and ban...
Commodities
Stranded hotel sign of mining bust
A prefabricated six-storey hotel, once destined to house BHP workers, is sitting in 126 boxes stranded on the Melbourne city docks, a sign of the mining slowdown.
