Boom-time chiefs call it quits

Max Mason The generation of CEOs that oversaw a once-in-a-lifetime expansion of the mining industry is being replaced as mining giants steer into the post-peak period.

Unlikely to pay mining tax for years: Fortescue

Philip Wen Iron ore miner Fortescue says flaws in the MRRT mean it won't be paying mining tax for years, despite providing an optimistic outlook for iron ore.

BHP's new boss oozes EQ and IQ

Peter Ker and Brian Robins The incoming chief executive at BHP Billiton differs markedly from Marius Kloppers.

Malcolm Maiden

Transition with little drama at BHP

Malcolm Maiden BHP always very carefully stages its sucession plans and the odds are good that the change from Marius Kloppers to Andrew Mackenzie will be smooth.

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Investment boom to peak lower: RBA

The RBA says the mining investment boom will peak sooner and at a lower level than previously expected.

Clyde Russell

Don't tinker with the mining tax

Clyde Russell The increasingly strident calls by some politicians to either tighten or scrap the controversial mining profits tax ignore that the measure is working as it is supposed to.

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Whitehaven soars on Maules Creek approval

Shares in Whitehaven Coal jumped as much as 11% after the federal government approved its key growth project, the Maules Creek coal mine.

Rio scores rail access win against Fortescue

Paddy Manning Rio Tinto has scored a win in the long-running legal battle with Fortescue, which is fighting for access to its rail lines in the Pilbara, on competition grounds.

Coffey profit down but shares up on outlook

Brian Robins Investors in Coffey International remain focussed on the turnaround prospects for the company following further disappointing progress in the December half, with a further slide in earnings.

Aussie oil workers best paid in the world: study

Australia's oil and gas workers enjoyed the highest average salaries in the industry in 2012 due to a skills shortage, a study finds.

Some progress in Hanlong bid for Sundance

Philip Wen There could yet be life in Sichuan Hanlong’s drawn-out $1.4 billion takeover bid for Australian iron ore play Sundance Resources.

Next blow for Tinkler as Maules Creek delayed

Paddy Manning The federal government has deferred a decision on Whitehaven Coal’s controversial Maules Creek mine in the NSW Gunnedah Basin, until the end of April.

Concerns rise over costs at Rio mine in Mongolia

Mongolia will press global miner Rio Tinto to explain a spike in costs at the huge Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold mine, soruces say, warning that it could threaten efforts to finance other projects in...

'Too late' for China to cap coal use at 4b tonnes

Paddy Manning Australia’s coal industry doubts China will be able to cap its coal use by 2015, without abandoning its commitment to economic growth.

Aquila puts $7.4b iron ore project on ice

Aquila Resources has put its West Pilbara iron ore project on ice due to funding difficulties, sending its shares down nearly 10 per cent.

Reserve to take hand off rate tiller for now

Peter Martin THE Reserve Bank board is set to take a breather on Tuesday after slicing almost $2000 from the annual cost of servicing a typical mortgage over the past year.

Hanlong bid for Sundance fails to progress

Philip Wen Hanlong Group has left Sundance Resources shareholders none the wiser over the fate of its protracted $1.3 billion takeover play, with the Chinese group set to miss another key deadline.

Tinkler hit again as Whitehaven dives

Paddy Manning Troubled Whitehaven Coal has cut its earnings forecasts again, indicating it may earn as little as $20 million this year if weak market conditions persist.

Gina Rinehart jumps into oil and gas

Peter Ker Mining magnate Gina Rinehart takes a substantial stake in oil and gas minnow Lakes Oil and appoints climate change sceptic Ian Plimer as a director.