Sipa Resources (17 February 2000)

Sipa has finalised a farm-out agreement with Newcrest Operations Ltd under which Newcrest will manage exploration over virtually all of Sipa's extensive Ashburton holdings and will (subject to its right to withdraw) need to spend $8.5 million in order to earn a 70% interest in these projects. This arrangement, combined with a number of other agreements negotiated recently by Sipa, will enable the company to focus on its new exploration venture. The new venture is based on Sipa's exclusive access to Rio Tinto Exploration Pty Ltd's vast Australian geochemical and mineralogical databases.

Western Metals / GME Resources (17 February 2000)

Western Metals Limited and GME Resources Ltd have agreed to merge their lateritic nickel tenements in the Leonora area of Western Australia to create a new lateritic nickel project.
The agreement delivers the critical mass needed for a stand-alone development and thus enables Western Metals and GME Resources to maximise the value of their respective interests.
A new company, NiWest, 60% owned by Western Metals and 40% owned by GME Resources, will be formed as part of the agreement. The new company will control tenements with a combined resource in excess of 100 million tonnes of laterite nickel grading 1.02% nickel and 0.07% cobalt.

Woodside Petroleum (17 February 2000)

WOODSIDE ACHIEVES HIGHER FULL YEAR REVENUE AND RECORD PROFIT

Woodside Petroleum Ltd has achieved excellent financial results in the form of higher sales revenues and the seventh consecutive year of record (pre-abnormals) profit, for the year ending 31 December 1999.
The outstanding performance of Woodside's core North West Shelf Venture Operations and the successful start-up of oil production from the Laminaria and Corallina oilfields together with significantly improved commodity prices in the second half of the year, enabled Woodside to achieve a net profit for 1999 of A$327.3 million before abnormals. This represents a 9% increase over the 1998 profit of A$300.2 million.
The Company also posted an abnormal net gain of A$4.0 million after income tax bringing total profit for the year to A$331.3 million. The abnormal gain is made up of A$94.6 million arising from the impact of corporate tax rate changes on deferred liabilities, which is largely offset by the write off of A$90.6 million after tax in accumulated exploration and evaluation expenditure.
Sales revenues increased by A$42.2 million (4.4%) from A$946.6 million in 1998 to A$988.8 million in 1999. The increase was derived from gains due to higher commodity prices and initial oil production from the Laminaria and Corallina fields, which offset the impact of the planned seven month shutdown of the Cossack Pioneer oil production facility.
As a result, the Directors have declared a final dividend of 16 cents per share (fully franked) which together with an interim dividend of 10 cents per share (fully franked) makes a 1999 total of
26 cents per share (fully franked). This compares with the 1998 total dividend of 23 cents per share (fully franked).

As a result of the activities undertaken during 1999 including technical studies, Woodside's hydrocarbon reserves position (as at 31 December 1999) expressed in million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe) decreased by 14.1 MMboe to 889.3 MMboe at the Proved level and increased by 24.9 MMboe to 1133.4 MMboe at the Probable level. This represents a reserves replacement ratio at the Probable level of 159% and has enabled Woodside to increase its Probable reserves by an amount which exceeds production for a fourth successive year.

Ashanti Goldfields (16 February 2000)

A CORPORATE SOLUTION WITH LONMIN PLC

In the light of the decline in the long-term gold price and the strategic consolidation that was taking place within the industry, Ashanti had been in discussions with a number of companies in the twelve months preceding the hedging crisis in search of possible collaborative ventures. No Companies were interested in progressing this solution apart from Lonmin plc ("Lonmin").

Whilst the Company was unable to reach agreement with its hedge banks, the price of gold continued at high levels and consequently the potential margin calls remained significant. Finally the Company was able to negotiate an agreement with the hedge banks whereby the Company agreed to the issue five year warrants over 15% of the Company's fully diluted issued share capital in return subject to satisfaction of certain conditions for the right to trade margin free for the next three years. After the initial three year period, margin limits will be re-imposed at higher levels than existed before the crisis for the two years hereafter. Regardless of what the Company's hedge position is or will be, and regardless of whether the gold price goes up or down, Ashanti will not be liable to post any margin during the next three years once the restructuring plans are finalised.

THE RESTRUCTURING PLAN
Since the agreement with the hedge banks was signed, the Ashanti Board has put together a long-term solution to the crisis after considering all the possible options available to the Company. The solution which has emerged, which the Board believes should be acceptable to all stakeholders, involves essentially:

• securing a new debt facility of up to US$100 million to enable Ashanti to complete its Geita Project in Tanzania;
• securing the proposed sale of a 50 per cent joint venture interest in Ashanti's Geita Project in Tanzania. The auction process for that sale was announced at the end of December 1999 and binding bids had been requested from interested parties by Friday, 11 February 2000.
  Due to the present uncertainty created by the events of the last few weeks, the Board considered it to be in the interests of securityholders to delay the timetable for the sale of the Geita Project until the uncertainty has been resolved; and
• restructuring the Board with the appointment of new additional independent directors with relevant experience.

Australian Worldwide Exploration (16 February 2000)

Drilling operations commenced in Australian Worldwide Exploration Limited's ("AWE") exploration wells in Argentina and New Zealand.

In Argentina, AWE's wholly owned subsidiary AWE Argentina Pty Limited, advises the Ramblon Verde-1 well in CNQ- 16/A was spudded on February 2, 2000 . As at 0600 hours on February 14, the well had reached its total depth of 1805 metres (m) and wireline logging operations were underway.
Oil and gas shows were encountered over the gross interval from 1445-1525m. Cores were taken over the intervals from 1472-1481m and 1525m-1542m.
The significance of these shows will not be known until wireline electric logs are obtained.

In New Zealand, AWE's wholly owned subsidiary, AWE New Zealand Pty Limited, advises that the Hochstetter-1 well in PEP 38460 was spudded on February 9 (see attached map for location). As at 0600 hours on February 15 the well had reached a depth of 1388m where casing has been set.

Bendigo Mining (16 February 2000)

Due to the identification of additional targets for exploration drilling, and eventual bulk sampling, the directors of Bendigo Mining NL are considering raising $8 million capital through a renounceable rights issue to all shareholders.

Cluff Resources (16 February 2000)

The company has recovered a further 167 diamonds weighing 17.75 carats during the last week from processing of 300 tonnes of material mined from the Monte Christo Diamond mine. Production so far this quarter totals 272 diamonds weighing 29.65 carats from 520 tonnes of material.
1,207 gem diamonds weighing 151.1 carats were recovered treatment of 2,190 tonnes ruined from the Monte Christo Diamond Mine at Bingara during the last quarter. Production slowed during the second half of the quarter, as staff and trucks were utilised to reestablish the Company's ruby operation. Mining, transport and treatment is carried out using the company's wholly owned equipment, with costs for the quarter of $93,000.

CMS Energy (16 February 2000)

US power group CMS Energy will sell its half stake in the Loy Yang A power plant and brown coal mine in Vic.

Dioro Exploration (16 February 2000)

Share Issue - through this Prospectus 24,000,000 Shares are being offered at an issue price of 6.4 cents each.
The purpose of the issue is to raise working capital for administration and ongoing exploration over the Company's Diamond and Gold exploration areas.
The Share Issue will raise $1,536,000 (before expenses of the Share Issue).

Empire Oil & Gas (16 February 2000)

Empire , holder of 100% of Carnarvon Basin permit EP 405, announce that, subject to the completion of relevant documentation, it has reached an agreement with the title holders of the contiguous permits EP369 and EP410 for an equity swap which will give all parties equal equities in all three permits.
This Agreement generates a combined exploration area in excess of 12,865 sqkm or 3.2 million acres, which contains three seismically mapped exploration prospects having combined potential recoverable reserves of 11.6 million barrels oil and 504 BCF gas.
The enlarged exploration area covers the most prospective portions of the under explored southern onshore Carnarvon/Merlinleigh Sub-basin.

First Australian Resources (16 February 2000)

FAR has entered into a new drilling venture with Goodrich Petroleum Corporation (NYSE). The program covers 4 prospects located in Louisiana which are at different stages of advancement. The prospects were assembled during 1999 at a time of lower energy prices.
Being in a mature oil and gas province, these prospects are considered to be of a lower risk nature and offer FAR the opportunity for early cash flows from an improved energy pricing outlook.

Greenstone Resources (16 February 2000)

Greenstone is pleased to announce the immediate commencement of a drilling program at its Binaliw, Philippines project.
Surface exploration at the project has suggested the presence of a large intrusive body with the potential for a major porphyry copper-gold system.

Perilya Mines (16 February 2000)

A General Meeting of the Shareholders will be held on Friday, 10 March 2000 in the Presidents' Room, Celtic Club, 48 Ord Street, West Perth, Western Australia commencing at 12:00 noon. The main purpose of the Meeting is to change the name to Perilya Limited.

Portman Mining (16 February 2000)

Portman is pleased to announce another milestone in its iron ore growth strategy via the signing of an agreement with the Esperance Port Authority to finalise the scope of the proposed expansion of the Esperance port to accommodate increased production from its Koolyanobbing Iron Ore Project.

Rio Tinto (16 February 2000)

Rio is preparing to exit Portugal, one week after striking miners took over the administration block of its Neves Corvo copper mine.
Rio says the move reflects its increasing focus on larger scale open-cut copper operations.

Sedimentary Holdings (16 February 2000)

With the depletion of economic resource, the alluvial gold project that it has operated since 1992 in western Victoria is to close.

Tap Oil (16 February 2000)

Tap Oil NL advises that it has entered into a farmin agreement with Apache Energy Limited to earn a 10% interest in WA-246-P by contributing to the drilling of the Corvus-1 exploration well.
Corvus-1 spudded at 02.30 hours on Sunday, 13 February 2000.
WA-246-P is located in the Barrow Sub-basin of the Carnarvon Basin on the Triassic trend approximately 50 kilometres north east of the Harriet Joint Venture's Campbell gas field. The Corvus-1 well is located in 61 metres of water at latitude 20deg05'54"S and longitude 116deg04'41"E.
As at 06.00 hours on Monday 14 February 2000, the well has drilled ahead to 685 metres and will continue to drill ahead to the planned total depth of 3,832 metres measured depth.

Victoria Petroleum (16 February 2000)

Victoria Petroleum NL, as Operator for the PRA 436 Joint Venture, advises that the Cadart-1ST (sidetrack) exploration well is at a plugged back depth of 1270m. In view of the inability to successfully sidetrack, further attempts at sidetracking will not be made, and an open-hole test of the interval 1100-1270m will be carried out to determine the formation fluid in the lost-circulation zone that was taking drilling mud during sidetrack operations, in a similar manner to the test of the zone from 1609-1930 metres which flowed gas to surface.

Western Metals (16 February 2000)

WM has approved a program to upgrade processing facilities at its Lennard Shelf Operations. The upgrade involves increasing throughput at the Pillara plant from 1.5 million tonnes per annum to 2.4 million tonnes per annum, closing the ageing Cadjebut plant and centralising all support functions at Pillara.
Approval for the upgrade follows a highly successful exploration season on the Leonard Shelf that resulted in a 4.4 million tonne or 33% increase in ore reserves to 17.6 million tonnes. These results represent a major extension to the mine life at Pillara and underlies the company's decision to consolidate its Lennard Shelf operations at Pillara.

Alcaston Mining (15 February 2000)

The Company's Swedish subsidiary, Alcaston Diamond Exploration AB, has now completed its offering memorandum to raise up to SEK 10 million in seed capital in Sweden. Funds raised will be used for working capital and ongoing exploration including the analysis of orientation program samples.

Diamond Ventures (15 February 2000)

Diamond Ventures has announced the signing of a Letter of Understanding with Barminco Pty Ltd - a leading privately owned mining contractor. The Letter of Understanding anticipates the formation of a Joint Venture to undertake gold exploration, development and production in the highly prospective Kookynie region in the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. The Kookynie tenements are owned and/or controlled by Barminco, and cover approximately 1,000sqkm including 60 mining leases and a gold treatment plant (1mtpa). The tenements lie within 150 km of seven major gold deposits containing in aggregate 24 million ounces of gold.

Golden State Resources (15 February 2000)

The Directors are pleased to announce the acquisition by Golden State Resources of a new laterite nickel tenement application on the highly prospective Walter Williams Formation at its Menzies Nickel-Cobalt Project.
The new tenement application resides directly along strike from the Company's previously announced high grade nickel cobalt resources at the Highway joint venture, and the Golden State-Gilt-Edged Joint Venture ground at Comet Vale.

Henry Walker Eltin (15 February 2000)

Half- Yearly Report:

Profit before tax of $20.7 million was generated by the Contracting division, 29% higher than the corresponding result of $16.0 million for the 1999 first half.
The profit result was earned from total revenue of $457.1 million, 52% higher than the 1999 first half contracting revenue of $301.6 million.
The increase in revenue from contracting is the result of theexpansion in mining business created by the Henry Walker Eltin merger and growth in the company's civil engineering operations.

New Zealand Oil & Gas (15 February 2000)

Drilling of the Corvus-1 exploration well, offshore Carnarvon Basin, Western Australia commenced on 13 February 2000. Corvus is currently at a depth of 685 metres and is expected to take about 3 weeks to drill.

Pancontinental Oil & Gas (15 February 2000)

The Board of Pancontinental announced the appointment of Mr H.D. (David) Kennedy as its new Chairman. This appointment follows the resignation of Mr D Hedderwick as Director and Chairman at the end of 1999.
Pancontinental Oil & Gas NL (Pancon), which is acquiring a 95% interest in onshore Carnarvon Basin permit EP369, is pleased to announce that, subject to the completion of relevant documentation, it has reached an agreement with the title holders of the contiguous permits EP405 and EP410 for an equity swap which will give all parties equal equities in all three permits. Pancon (through exercising the Stage 2 option to acquire EP369, which is subject to Pancon shareholder approval) will hold a 31.67% equity in the amalgamated permits.

Victoria Petroleum (15 February 2000)

Victoria Petroleum NL, as Operator for the PRA 436 Joint Venture, advises that the Cadart-1ST (sidetrack) exploration well is at a depth of 1328m. The second attempt to sidetrack around the stuck core barrel has failed, and a cement plug is being set in preparation for a further attempt.

Beaconsfield Gold (12 February 2000)

BEACONSFIELD GOLD TAKEOVER BID FOR ALLSTATE EXPLORATIONS NL

Croesus Mining / Gilt-Edged Mining (12 February 2000)

Croesus Mining NL ("Croesus") today announced that its offer for all the shares in Gilt-Edged Mining NL ("Gilt-Edged") is declared free from the conditions contained in Clause 8.1 of the Offer documents.
Mr Ron Manners, Chairman of Croesus, said "By declaring our offer unconditional, Gilt-Edged shareholders who accept our offer can be certain of receiving the consideration offered by Croesus by March 12.

Danae Resources (12 February 2000)

The directors of Danae Resources NL are pleased to announce the granting of formal approval of the Pre Approval Study for the Sappes project in North Eastern Greece.
Approval of this document is viewed as a critical milestone for the Sappes project and demonstrates the commitment and support of the Greek government for project development in the area, known as Thrace. Previously, in 1999, the project received approval of a Techno Economic Study.
The next steps for the project are the completion of the Bankable Feasibility and the submission of the Environmental Impact Statement.
Both of these documents are substantially prepared with each waiting upon the results of test work of hydrometallurgical options, and subsequent recommendations. These are expected in April of this year.

Majestic Resources (12 February 2000)

The Directors of Majestic Resources NL announced that the Company is finalising an agreement with the Klipdam Diamond Mining Company Ltd ("KDMC") of South Africa to purchase the property and mineral rights to the property named "Klipdam 157".
Klipdam 157 is located approximately 20 kilometres north of Majestic's Pniel Estate Diamond Project near Kimberley, South Africa.The property has extensive diamondiferous gravels in two palaeochannels. The Klipdam Channel has 5.0 million tonnes drilled out and bulk sampled to a stage where mining can commence once the property and mineral rights have been transferred. The other palaeochannel, called the "New Discovery Area", is subject to a drilling programme jointly funded by the Company and Klipdam Diamond Mining Company Ltd to determine the extent of economic gravels, considered to be some 5.0 to 10.0 million tonnes.
The Company will pay US$2.5 million for the 5.0 million immediately mineable tonnes, and will pay US$0.30 per tonne for agreed economic gravel tonnes in the New Discovery Area, to a maximum of US$2.4 million.

Pacific Energy (12 February 2000)

Pacific Energy announced that Philnico Developments Limited (PDL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Impala Platinum Holdings Limited of South Africa, one of the worlds largest platinum producers, for IMPLATS to become the industrial partner and a major investor in the world scale nickel and cobalt project, PDL are developing on the Island of Nonoc in the Philippines.

The Processing operations will be split into two stages:

1. The ore mined at Nonoc will be processed by High Pressure Acid Leach to produce mixed nickel/cobalt sulphide intermediate.
2. The mixed sulphides will be refined to pure metals is an expansion of Implats Springs Refinery in South Africa. PDL will own the new expanded facility.

The Philnico resources of at least 140Mt averaging 1.1% nickel and 0.11% cobalt with a mine life of at least 40 years will be used. Extensive use will be made of the existing Nonoc infrastructure and nickel processing plant.

SMC Resources (12 February 2000)

SUMMARY - DECEMBER QUARTERLY REPORT

Victoria Petroleum (12 February 2000)

Victoria Petroleum NL, as Operator for the PRA 436 Joint Venture, advises that the Cadart-1ST (sidetrack) exploration well is at a depth of 1310m and has commenced the second sidetrack hole. The primary objective section is interpreted to commence at a depth of about 1540 metres.

CAIL (11 February 2000)

Coal & Allied Managing Director, Dr Kim Tronson, today welcomed the planning approval of the company's Mount Pleasant Mine saying the mine would introduce new standards of environmental responsibility particularly in air, land and water management. The Mount Pleasant Mine requires an investment of about $400 million and has the potential to create over 300 jobs at the mine when in full production. When the multiplier effect of mining is taken into account the mine has the potential to create many more job opportunities for the region.

Carpenter Pacific Minerals (11 February 2000)

The Board of Carpenter Pacific has decided to broaden the scope of the company's activities to include investment in ASX listed companies and to seek opportunity in other sectors, including information and other emerging technologies.
The existing exploration assets in Papua New Guinea; namely the Amanab, Malamunda and Lapalama Projects will continue to be held with the company maximising the value of those projects by risk sharing and exploration expenditure in its own right.

Envestra (11 February 2000)

Envestra announced its intention to undertake the first Commercial Paper issue of up to A$150 million under a new A$500 million multi issuer Integrated Commercial Paper and Medium Term Note Program. The issue will be made by Envestra's wholly owned subsidiary, Envestra Victoria Pty Limited ("En Vic") land will occur in the first quarter of 2000. Proceeds from this issue will be used to refinance part of the existing batik facilities of En Vic as part of the ongoing debt management strategy for the Company.

Golden Cross Resources (11 February 2000)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an Extraordinary General Meeting of the members of Golden Cross Resources NL ("Company" or "GCR") will be held at the Company's offices, 22 Edgeworth David Avenue, Hornsby, NSW, 2077 on Friday 10 March 2000 at 10.00 am.

GCR proposes to change its status from a no liability company to a company limited by shares. This change will allow GCR to pursue opportunities in the high technology sector.

Gold (11 February 2000)

The gold price continued to rise on rumours that AngloGold is reducing its hedging and that Germany is to mint a million gold coins.

Macmin (11 February 2000)

Majestic Resources / Murchison United (11 February 2000)

The Directors of Majestic Resources NL wish to announce that the Company has entered into an agreement with Murchison United NL, Carmichael - First Capital Pty Ltd and Andrew Chapman to sell its White Range group of assets to an unlisted company, First Equity Venture Ltd (to be renamed Matrix Metals Limited), for $5.0 million in cash.

Norwest Energy (11 February 2000)

Final documentation of the farmin agreement between AEC International (a subsidiary of Alberta Energy Company), West Oil and Norwest Energy was signed to drill the Puffin-5 well in the Timor Sea in May this year.
Under the terms of the agreement, Alberta Energy will earn 60% equity and become the Operator of the permit and will pay for the drilling of the Puffin-5 well on the Puffin-1 Updip Prospect by the end of May 2000. West Oil and Norwest will each retain 20% equity in the permit and will be free carried through the well

Pilbara Mines (11 February 2000)

Pilbara wishes to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Request DSL Pty Limited ("Request DSL") and the existing shareholders to acquire an 80% interest in that company.
Request DSL will focus on the business of providing dedicated high-speed digital communication services using digital subscriber line technology ("DSL") to Internet service provider and enterprise customers. Request DSL services will be provided over standard copper telephone lines available in the majority of homes in Australia at speeds up to 1.5 megabits per second compared to current analogue modem rates of 56K per second (30 times faster).

Strata Mining / St Barbara Mines (11 February 2000)

Strata Mining Corporation NL ("Strata") wishes to announce that it has entered into an option agreement to acquire 13,333,000 ordinary fully paid shares in SBM at a cost of $2,000,000 (15 cents per share).
Such option agreement is exercisable between the 1 July 2000 and 31 October 2000. As a consequence Strata's relevant interest in SBM has increased from 13.15% to 19.51%.

Strike Mining (11 February 2000)

The Board of Directors of Strike Mining NL (Strike) is considering a change of business with the signing of heads of agreement for the acquisition of 100% of the shares in Select-Tel Holdings Pty Ltd (Select-Tel).
Select-Tel is a provider of Telecommunications management systems and solutions.

Astro Mining / Conquest Mining (10 February 2000)

Astro has entered into a farmin and joint venture agreement with Conquest covering tenements owned by Conquest within a 250 kilometre radius of the Company's Bow River Diamond Mine in the East Kimberley Area of Western Australia.
The tenements are situated to the southwest of the Argyle Diamond Mine and abut the Company's Bow River tenements. They cover the current drainage and adjacent gravel terraces of the Bow River. A preliminary assessment indicates the considerable exploration potential of the tenements to contain economic diamond concentrates.

Dalrymple Resources (10 February 2000)

Dalrymple has allotted and issued 4,906,490 new ordinary fully paid shares as a result of acceptance received for the 1 for 10 pro-rata issue which closed 96.8% subscribed on 28 January 2000.

Eastern Aluminium (10 February 2000)

Elval Hellenic Aluminium Industry SA ("Elval") intends to make takeover offers through an Australian subsidiary for all the shares in Eastern. Eastern has been advised that the proposed terms of the takeover offer include the following:

• the offer price will be $1.55 cash per Eastern share; and
• the offer is conditional on Elval becoming entitled to 90% of Eastern's shares, which will enable it to compulsorily acquire any outstanding Eastern shares.

Elval has also announced that it has an option over shares representing 9.9% of Eastern's total shares on issue. The option has been granted by QBE, which holds a total of 27% of the shares in Eastern.
Shareholders are advised to take no action at this time.

Esmeralda Exploration (10 February 2000)

Esmeralda faces compensation claims following a cyanide spill from its JV gold operations in Romania.

Goldstream Mining / Bonanza Gold (10 February 2000)

Goldstream announces that it has increased its interest from 51% to 75% in Mt Gee (EL2634), Arkaroola (EL2173) and Mt Fitton (EL2344) {Mt Painter JV} by expending a further $400,000.

Golden State Resources (10 February 2000)

The Directors of Golden State Resources NL wish to advise that the Company is investigating opportunities within the technology sector with the intention of enabling Golden State to participate in the ever-expanding technology market.
Discussions, which are the subject of a Confidentiality Agreement, are now underway with a party which owns information technology, with Internet application, however at this stage there is no certainty as to the timing, final details or outcome of these discussions.

Gympie Gold (10 February 2000)

Colonial Limited became a substantial shareholder in Gympie Gold Limited on 07/02/2000 with a relevant interest in the issued share capital of 10,787,232 ordinary shares (8.35%), based on issued capital of 129,191,880 fully paid ordinary shares.

Lakes Oil (10 February 2000)

Lakes Oil NL ("Lakes Oil") wishes to announce that it has recently discovered the presence of an apparent surface oil occurrence located within its onshore Gippsland Basin permit PEP 137.

The discovery was made as a result of an analysis undertaken by the Company of recent radiometrics flown by the Australian Government Geological Survey (AGSO) in October of last year. Lakes Oil's consultant for the interpretation of the survey data (Pitt Resources of Adelaide) identified the presence of a large radiometric anomaly located to the west of Lake Wellington, and east of the town of Longford. Follow up field sampling has confirmed the presence of the anomaly. For details, click here.

New Zealand Oil & Gas (10 February 2000)

The Ocean Epoch semi-submersible drilling rig today commenced NZ Oil & Gas Ltd's most important exploration well in years, Hochstetter-1, in the West Maid permit offshore Taranaki Basin.

Paladin Resources (10 February 2000)

Paladin Resources NL has launched an innovative new IT investment, today announcing plans to seed fund and participate in an Initial Public Offering (IP0) by Australian software developer ST Synergy to propel its Knowledge Management software package into global markets and develop it for exciting e-commerce applications.

Portman Mining (10 February 2000)

Portman Mining Limited is to extend the life of its Cockatoo Island Iron Ore Project in Western Australia - and offer a new high-grade sinter fines product in Asian markets - after giving the go-ahead to a 2-year remnant ore project on the island in joint venture with Henry Walker Eltin Ltd.

Sons of Gwalia (10 February 2000)

Sons of Gwalia Ltd ("Gwalia") today announced that it has entered into a Joint Venture with the RZM / Cable Sands Group ("RZM") in respect of RZM's Mineral Sands project in the Murray Basin region of eastern Australia (the Murray Basin Project").
RZM is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nissho Iwai Corporation and is one of the largest suppliers and distributors of mineral sands in the world.
Gwalia said that it would acquire a 50 per cent interest in the Murray Basin Project from RZM for a total consideration of $15 million through expenditure of $6 million in cash and the sole funding of the first $9 million in ongoing exploration and development costs.

Sirocco Resources (10 February 2000)

Sirocco Resources NL is pleased to announce that it has completed a placement that will result in a total of $6 million being raised by the company.

Auridiam Consolidated (9 February 2000)

Auridiam has announced a non-renounceable pro rata rights issue of options at an issue price of $0.01 each, on the basis of one for four.Shareholders registered at the record date will be entitled to a right to take up one option at a consideration of 1 cent each for every four shares held. The options will be exercisable at a price of 20 cents each on or before 31 January 2002 and, thereafter, at 50 cents each until their expiry date, 30 June 2004.

Australian Worldwide Exploration (9 February 2000)

Drilling at two world-class prospects-offshore New Zealand and onshore Argentina-this week marks the beginning of AWE's aggressive exploration and appraisal drilling programmme for the year.
The 12-month, 12-well programmme in Australia, New Zealand and Argentina will expose AWE to the opportunity of more than 400 million barrels of oil equivalent through its equities in joint ventures, for a capital outlay of approximately $6.5 million.

BHP (9 February 2000)

The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited (BHP) is taking action in the Federal Court and the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) against coal mining unions which called strikes overnight at the company's Australian coal operations.
The industrial action followed yesterday's announcement that BHP had settled commercial terms for premium hard coking coal contracts with a number of customers in Japan.

Centaur Mining & Exploration / Heron Resources (9 February 2000)

Centaur has launched a 30 cent/share bid for heron. Centaur already has a 19.7% stake in Heron - which owns the high-grade Goongarrie laterite nickel deposit (83 million tonnes @ 1.32% Ni) in WA.
Heron shares closed at 31.5 cents (up 0.5 cents).

Consolidated Minerals Ltd (9 February 2000)

Consolidated will shortly kick off a major RC drilling program at its Woodie Woodie Manganese Project in the Pilbara region as part of an aggressive long-term strategy to increase the project's resource base to underpin a 10-year mine life. Consolidated Minerals' Managing Director, Mr Michael Kiernan, said approximately 12,000 metres of RC drilling would be carried out during the next six months..".

Electrometals Technologies Ltd (9 February 2000)

Electrometals is pleased to announce that it has reached agreement for the immediate transfer of ownership of its Young Australia mineral processing site to a private group which will upgrade the EMEW production plant to bring it into commercial production, initially at the rate of 1.5 tonnes per day of LME grade copper. For details, click here.

Goldfields Ltd (9 February 2000)

The Board of Directors of Goldfields Limited (Goldfields) (ASX: GLD) note the announcement by Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (Harmony) of South Africa that it has acquired a 19.95% interest in Goldfields from Hanson PLC at $1.25 per share for a total cost of $41 million.
Commenting on the investment, Goldfields' Managing Director Dr Peter Cassidy said, "Harmony contacted Goldfields only last night to inform us of the acquisition. While we welcome Harmony as a new shareholder, at this stage we need to understand what Harmony could contribute to Goldfields' expertise and strong balance sheet and we are unaware of any direct experience Harmony has in Australia."

Gilt-Edged Mining (9 February 2000)

GEM advises that a further program of reverse circulation ("RC") drilling has commenced at the Pegasus deposit, as part of its ongoing evaluation of the East Kundana project in WA.

Icon Oil (9 February 2000)

BUSINESS

Previously allotted securities

Lakes (9 February 2000)

The Board of Directors of Lakes Oil N.L. ("Lakes Oil") wishes to announce that it has commenced preliminary discussions with an unrelated party in relation to a potential investment opportunity which, subject to further detailed negotiation, may be available to the Company. The opportunity involves the potential purchase by the Company of the Australian rights to an energy-related product (the "Rights"). At this stage, indications are that the consideration for the purchase of these Rights, should it take place, will be satisfied by the issue of shares in Lakes Oil at the closing market price on Friday, February 4, 2000 of 5.5 cents each. The purchase will be subject to an independent valuation and the approval of the Company’s shareholders being received at a meeting to be convened for this purpose (the "Meeting").

For additional information, click here.

Kagara Zinc (9 February 2000)

HIGHLIGHTS - DECEMBER QUARTER
Corporate:

• Kagara Zinc Ltd listed on ASX on 22 December 1999, with around 850 shareholders.
• The cash balance at 31 December 1999 was $5.3 million.

Mt. Garnet:

• A 10,000 metre drilling program aimed at upgrading the Mt Garnet resource and to obtain material for additional metallurgical testwork will commence in January.
• Base line environmental studies at Mt Garnet have commenced.

King Vol:

• Limited drilling during the December quarter has extended known mineralization with intersections of up to 3.31m at 8.50%Zn and 8m at 5.86%Zn.
• Drilling planned to recommence in the June 2000 quarter after the wet season in Queensland.

Lihir Gold / Niugini Mining (9 February 2000)

Lihir Gold Limited ("Lihir") and Niugini Mining Limited ("Niugini Mining") are pleased to announce that, following approval on 1 February 2000 by the PNG National Court of the merger of the two companies by Scheme of Arrangement, the final share exchange ratio has now been determined, enabling the merger to be completed. Niugini Mining's Net Cash, as defined in the Merger Implementation Agreement, was US$54.617 million. Based on the agreed Lihir share price of A$1.45 per share, being the price at which Lihir made its private placement with institutions on 7 October 1999 when the merger was announced, and the applicable exchange rate of A$/US$ 0.6371, the consideration for Niugini Mining's Net Cash will be 59.12 million Lihir shares. When added to the 1 for 1 consideration for Niugini Mining's holding of 161.53 million shares in Lihir, Lihir will issue a total of 220.65 million shares to Niugini Mining shareholders. Niugini Mining has 117.57 million shares on issue and accordingly Lihir will issue 1.8768 Lihir shares to Niugini Mining shareholders in exchange for each Niugini Mining share.

Precious Metals Australia (9 February 2000)

For additional information, click here.

Shield Equitiea (9 February 2000)

INVESTMENT IN LAYER 2 COMMUNICATIONS GROUP LTD

Shield Equities Ltd ("Shield") has agreed to acquire up to 80% of Layer 2 Communications Group Ltd ("Layer 2"), a new venture company formed to exploit a unique opportunity in the emerging world of third generation telecommunications services and network infrastructure supply and management. Layer 2 plans to build an advanced full-service Internet Protocol ("IP") network. With plans to utilise capacity from a number of different suppliers such as Global Crossing, Project Oxygen and Southern Cross, Layer 2 aims to deploy a global network infrastructure providing high speed, high availability facilities to its clients.

Layer 2 is negotiating to acquire fibre optic capacity from a number of cable companies and has committed to acquire 100 Gigabits/second of capacity on the proposed Project Oxygen global network.

For additional information, click here.

WMC (9 February 2000)

WMC financial results for the 12 months ended 31 December 1999

The Directors of WMC Limited announce the following profit attributable to shareholders for the 12 months ended 31 December 1999.

	12 months to 31 December 1999	12 months to 31 December 1998
Equity profit after tax and abnormals	275.8	169.2
Equity profit after tax but before abnormals	240.5	166.5

The final dividend of 10 cents a share increased total dividends paid by the Company to 13 cents per share for 1999. This compares to 10 cents per share paid in 1998. The final dividend is fully franked at 36 percent, and payable on 29 February 2000.
The main factor that affected the result was the improved Nickel Business performance, due to significantly higher nickel margins, particularly in the second half as costs were reduced and prices increased.
Chief Executive Officer Hugh Morgan said that in 1999 the Company had strengthened its long term competitiveness with the completion of several major projects.
"WMC has significantly improved each of its main businesses, and in the case of copper uranium and fertilizer we have added substantial low cost capacity," said Mr Morgan.

Mr Morgan also said that:
Olympic Dam continued commissioning the expanded plant throughout 1999. While the plant demonstrated the capability to produce at the nameplate capacity of 200 000 tonnes of copper, a fire in late December in the Solvent Extraction plant interrupted production and for the time being prevented output being sustained at this level;
The Queensland Fertilizer project produced its first 5 000 tonnes of diammonium phosphate fertilizer during December and commissioning is at an advanced stage;
Alcoa World Alumina (AWAC; WMC interest 40%) completed the expansion of its large low cost Wagerup Alumina Refinery in Western Australia. It also began trialing a new causticisation process that could add up to 500 000 tonnes to AWAC’s capacity at low unit capital cost.
"Prices for aluminium, copper, and nickel strongly recovered in the second half of 1999, and we expect good market conditions in 2000," said Mr Morgan. "Shareholder returns will reflect improved margins, higher revenue from our new projects, and firmer prices for our products."

"The past decade has seen the Company achieve substantial growth in its respective businesses, establishing major operations which rank among the world’s largest. The projects to expand these businesses have been completed during a period of low commodity prices. Given the recently improved market conditions, WMC’s current emphasis is to generate cash-flow to repay debt, increase returns to shareholders and place itself in a position to take advantage of future opportunities, conscious that these tend to arise at the lower ends of business cycles. Meanwhile, our priority is to operate each business to its optimal efficiency, positioning our portfolio as a platform for future growth."

Victoria Petroleum (8 February 2000)

Victoria Petroleum NL, as Operator for the PRA 436 Joint Venture, advises that the Cadart-1ST (sidetrack) exploration well has reached a depth of 1353 meters. At this point the core barrel became stuck and the drill pipe twisted off. Current operation is attempting to free the core barrel. The primary objective section is interpreted to commence at a depth of about 1540 metres.

Amity Oil (8 February 2000)

The Rutile No 1 well spudded at 0700 hours on Sunday 6 February 2000.
The Rutile No 1 will test a seismically well defined domal structure at top Permian level, located approximately 20 kilometres south of the Whicher Range Gasfield. Targets in the well are the same Permian age sandstones which carry gas at the Whicher Range field.
The top of the Permian sandstone section is anticipated at 1900 metres, some 2000 metres shallower than in the Whicher Range field. On the basis of the shallow depth, reservoir quality is expected to be much better. This is supported by reservoir quality measurements from cores in Permian sediments at similar depth in the Sue No 1well, some 6 kilometres south of the Rutile No 1 location.

BHP Coal (8 February 2000)

BHP Coal Pty Ltd, Manager of the Central Queensland Coal Associates (CQCA) and Gregory Joint Ventures, has reached agreement with the Japanese Steel Mills (JSM) on prices for QCT Resources' shipments of hard coking coals from the Joint Venture mines for the Japanese fiscal year commencing 1 April 2000. QCT Resources has 32.37% interests in the Joint Ventures.
Prices for the range of hard coking coals sold by the Joint Venturers will be reduced by an average of 5% from current prices. The Joint Venturers' market position in Japan is expected to strengthen during the new Japanese fiscal year, however.

Caledonian Pacific Minerals (8 February 2000)

Caledonian advises that it has received a notice from Coronation International Mining Corporation ('CIMC') that pursuant to section 746 of the Corporations Law, it has decided not to proceed with its previously announced takeover offer by way of a bid for 60% if the issued ordinary shares in Caledonian at the offer price of 19 cents/per share.

Capricorn Resources (8 February 2000)

Capricorn shareholders have approved a major restructuring involving the acquisition of business-to-business e-commerce company B2B.net Ltd.
Following the acquisition, Capricorn will change its name to B2B.net Technology Ltd and its major shareholder will be US company e-MedSoft.com Inc.

Central Norseman Gold (8 February 2000)

CNG says a 13% drop in full-year net profit to $8.3 million could be linked to the lower gold price. CNG declared a final fully-franked dividend of 2 cents/share.

Croesus Mining / Gilt-Edged Mining (8 February 2000)

Croesus advises that its Offer dated 20 December 1999 to acquire all or the fully paid ordinary shares in Gilt-Edged has been varied by extending the period during which the Offer remains open for acceptance until midnight (Perth time) on 22 February 2000.

Golden State Resources (8 February 2000)

Golden State has acquired two new tenements at Johnston Range from Pasminco.These new tenements of approximately 300sqkm in area adjoin Golden State's recent EL application to the south (51sqkm). The new tenements are to be 100% owned by Golden State. Golden State has purchased these two tenements for a total of $24,000 in cash payments. As a part of the sale Pasminco retains a royalty of 20 cents per tonne of ore mined and treated from the tenements, capped at a total of $350,000.

Newcrest Mining (8 February 2000)

Newcrest advises that PT Nusa Halmahera Minerals (PTNHM - Newcrest 82.5%) has recommenced operations at its Gosowong mine on the island of Halmahera in Indonesia.
The total interruption to processing was 7 days, with milling from stockpiles starting on 3 February. Mining operations began on 6 February. Production for January was in line with budget at over 26,000 ounces.

Pan Australian Resources (8 February 2000)

For complete details of the December Quarterly Report, click here.

Red Back Mining (8 February 2000)

Red Back has announced a revised resource inventory for the Chirano Gold Project in Ghana to 13.46 million tonnes grading 2.4g/t for a total of 1.036 million ounces.
At this stage preliminary open pit planning indicates a series of open pits around the prospects with a central plant of approximately 1.5 - 2.0 million tonnes per annum. The higher grade pits will be mined first to take advantage of higher gold production and with it, improved cash flow.

Victoria Petroleum (8 February 2000)

Victoria Petroleum NL, as Operator for the PRA 436 Joint Venture, advises that the Cadart-1ST (sidetrack) exploration well is at a depth of 1,350 meters and coring ahead in 99mm sidetrack hole in the non-reservoir seal cap rock unit. The primary objective section is interpreted to commence at a depth of about 1,540 metres.

Mount Burgess Gold Mining Co (7 February 2000)

Mount Burgess has launched its comprehensive web site, www.mountburgess.com, developed by Digital Reflections. Mount Burgess (ASX Code MTB) currently has an active interest in six projects totalling approximately 5,000 square kilometres of ground situated in Australia and Namibia and is aggressively exploring these projects whilst investigating other opportunities in the minerals resource industry.

Copper (5 February 2000)

According to AME Mineral Economics, the copper industry is poised to move into deficit in 2000, after 4 years of oversupply, allowing prices to recover to US90c/lb.

Monto Minerals (5 February 2000)

Monto says it is in advanced talks on a heads of agreement with a major Australian firm to construce a synthetic rutile plant to process production from its Goondicum Crater ilmenite project in Qld.

Gold Price (5 February 2000)

The gold price jumped US$21.40 on rumours Placer Dome is suspending its gold hedging activities - and cutting forward sales by 2 million ounces.

Crest Magnesium (5 February 2000)

QUARTERLY REPORT FOR THE 3 MONTHS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 1999

HIGHLIGHTS – ARTHUR /LYONS RIVER MAGNESITE METAL PROJECT

1. MULTIPLEX JOINT VENTURE
On the 6th October 1999 it was announced that agreement had been reached with Multiplex Constructions Pty Ltd (Multiplex) where Multiplex would relinquish its 1% interest in the Crest Magnesium Metal Project. Multiplex previously had a 1% interest with the right to take a majority interest (up to 60%) in the project and that had the potential to limit Crest’s ability to introduce other investors into the project.
The parties agreed that Crest would repay to Multiplex the project loan previously advanced by Multiplex to Crest and that Crest would reimburse the direct costs incurred by Multiplex on project development.

2. PROJECT OVERVIEW
On the 12th November 1999 it was reported that Hatch Associates had completed an overview of the company’s magnesium metal project. The overview is currently being utilised in discussions and presentations with various third parties who have expressed interest in the project in terms of potential equity participation of joint venture arrangements.

Highlands Pacific (5 February 2000)

Drilling at Kainantu confirms continuous high grade gold mineralisation over 1,100 metres
Inferred resource estimate of 1.78 million ounces of contained gold

Ross Mining Co (5 February 2000)

Ross has released its Half-yearly accounts, to 31 December. For details, click here.

Union Capital (5 February 2000)

Union announced that it has signed a Heads of Agreement with Identikey to take the Identikey Internet security product to a public offering on the Australian Stock Exchange, with possible quotation at a later date in Europe and/or Nasdaq.

Acclain Uranium (4 February 2000)

Acclain said an independent study showed its Langer Heinrich uranium project in Namibia could operate profitably at a mining rate of 850,000tpy to produce uranium oxide (1000tpy of uranium for the first 3 years). Development cost is estimated at US$46 million with production costs estimated at about US$5.60/lb.

Anglo Australian Resources (4 February 2000)

AAR has raised $500,000 (via an issue) - to be used to drill at its East Denison Gold Project, in Tasmania. Drilling will commence in March and will target extensions and depths of a 1250m mineralised zone.

Cambrian Resources (4 February 2000)

Report for the Quarter Ended 31 December, 1999

CORPORATE
Cambrian has diversified into the information technology sector by entering into a contract to purchase the assets and intellectual property of Softbridge Pty Ltd. As announced on 14 November 1999 the assets comprise the Accountant Service Centre business concept, which it is planned to develop with a view to marketing both in Australia and overseas. A General Meeting of Cambrian shareholders has been called for 4 February 2000 to obtain the necessary approvals from shareholders for the acquisition and the issue of Cambrian shares and options as purchase consideration. Settlement is scheduled to take place on or before 14 February 2000.

Return of Capital
In October 1999, Cambrian completed an in specie distribution to shareholders of Troy shares acquired as part consideration for the sale of the Company's interest in the Mt Klemptz Joint Venture. This return of capital resulted in the exercise price of the Company's existing options reducing from 20 cents to 10.6 cents.

Fundraising
In November 1999, the Company raised $520,000 by placing 5,000,000 shares at 10.4 cents each.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Yandal (Cambrian 33%)
Wiluna Gold Pty Ltd completed the acquisition of Arimco's 67% interest in the Yandal Joint Venture on 17 November 1999 and Cambrian is awaiting details of the proposed exploration programme.

Teutonic/Wilsons Creek (Cambrian 15.3% diluting)
Joint Venture partner PACMIN is in the process of reinterpreting the structural controls to mineralisation of the region to generate targets for exploration.
A small RAB drilling programme of 520m in 10 holes was carried out on M37/479. General geochemically anomalous intersections up to 600ppb (ie 0.6ppm) of gold were made and one higher grade intersection of 1.55g/t over 3m from 12m depth.
PACMIN consider these intersections, in the zones tested, were not sufficiently encouraging to warrant follow-up.

Amy Clarke (Cambrian 16.2% contributing)
During the quarter an auger soil sampling programme produced 257 samples from the strike continuation of the old Oglivies line of workings. Peak values of 142ppb and 242ppb Au were tested by 12 aircore drill holes for a total of 949m.
The highest result from the drilling programme was 6m at 1.3g/t Au from 15m.
Sons of Gwalia do not consider the results sufficiently encouraging to carry out further work.

ZIMBABWE
On Champagne Farm within EPO 1084, one vertical RC hole (MRC02) was drilled to 109m, about 1.5km to the east from hole MRC01 drilled in March this year. This latest hole was designed to test a structured feature with a broadly geochemically anomalous area. Results were disappointing with no significant gold, silver or base metal values being returned.
Following these results Cambrian Resources Zimbabwe (Private) Limited ("CRZ") notified the vendor of CRZ's intention to withdraw from the option to purchase agreement. This withdrawal effectively ended Cambrian's exploration efforts in Zimbabwe and in a notice to the ASX on 18 January 2000 Cambrian confirmed that it had entered contracts to dispose its Zimbabwean interests.

Grenfell Resources (4 February 2000)

HIGHLIGHTS - DECEMBER QUARTER

Molopo Australia (4 February 2000)

Molopo says test work on its gold projects (tailings dumps) in North Korea are expected to commence in the second quarter.

New Hampton Goldfields (4 February 2000)

Joint Venture into Kambalda West

The company has acquired the right to a 70% interest in the Kambalda West project which totals 150km2 through a joint venture entered into with Central Kalgoorlie Gold Mines NL; the owner of the project.

This project is located approximately 10km west of Kambalda and 30km from the company’s closest milling facility at Jubilee. The project area is highly prospective for gold with resources already established at Jonah Dam (14,250 ounces) which adjoins WMC’s Cave Rocks deposit. The area is also prospective for nickel with a known gossan and a number of discrete targets already identified. For details, click here.

Victoria Petroleum (4 February 2000)

Victoria Petroleum NL advises that the Cadart-1 ST (sidetrack) exploration well is at a depth of 1144 meters and coring ahead in 99mm sidetrack hole in the non-reservoir seal cap rock unit. The primary objective section is interpreted to commence at a depth of about 1540 metres.

Ballarat Goldfields (3 February 2000)

Report to ASX for the Quarter ending 31 December 1999

Negotiations with a private company active in the development and application of data telecommunications technology were successfully concluded. This resulted in the execution of a Heads of Agreement on 1 December 1999 providing BGF with the opportunity to purchase the assets and interests of Oztrak Group Pty Ltd.

Directors requested a voluntary suspension of trading in the Company's securities while the feasibility of raising capital to satisfy the purchase obligation was investigated. On resumption of trading on 22 December, a series of on market sales of Trustee Shares resulted in the raising of $4.9 million, satisfying BGF's obligation to obtain funding for the asset purchase.

The sale agreement is also conditional upon satisfactory completion of due diligence, for which investigations are essentially complete as at the date of this report. Preparation of transaction documents is now also essentially complete in readiness for execution between the parties. Legal Completion is expected to take place early in February, at which time the Oztrak business operations, assets and personnel will transfer to a BGF wholly owned subsidiary, Grenwich Pty Ltd.

BGF and companies in the NM Rothschild & Sons (Australia) Limited group (NMRLG) reached agreement on 22 December 1999 to restructure the Ballarat Gold Project Joint Venture. This will allow BGF to acquire the 25% project interest currently held by NMRLG in return for the issue of 2.5 million fully paid BGF ordinary shares to NMRLG. The share issue is to be put to BGF shareholders for approval in general meeting on a date yet to be determined.

For additional information, click here.

Electrometals Technologies Limited (3 February 2000)

Electrometals (formerly Electrometals Mining) has launched its new web site, developed by Digital Reflections.

Electrometals (ASX Code EMM) has spent the past seven years bringing from concept to commercial availability an electrowinning technology which successfully overcomes many of the process and cost limitations which plague conventional electrowinning plants. Based around the globally patented EMEW® cell, the technology has been demonstrated to achieve significantly enhanced performance over a wide range of flows and effluent conditions, and is now being implemented in a number of mining and industrial settings. For details, click here.

Equinox Resources (3 February 2000)

SUMMARY - DECEMBER QUARTERLY REPORT

In late December the Company made the important decision to proceed to Phase 2 of the Lumwana Joint Venture in Zambia between Phelps Dodge and Equinox. The Company completed a Due Diligence Study on the Lumwana Copper Project, with the assistance of independent specialist resource and engineering consultants, which resulted in a positive recommendation to proceed.

Elsewhere in Zambia, the Anglo American funded Zambezi Joint Venture 1999 field program was concluded and planning for the 2000 program commenced. Activities were ongoing on some of the Company’s main Australian projects in the Gawler and Curnamona Cratons and in Sweden joint venture discussions are continuing.

Gateway Mining (3 February 2000)

HIGHLIGHTS - DECEMBER QUARTER

GIDGEE PROJECT – WESTERN AUSTRALIA

• Drilling confirmed that the Barrelmaker South prospect has gold mineralisation over a strike length of 200 metres. Recent results include hole GRB699 that returned 15 metres @ 2.31 g/t gold that included 10 metres @ 3.20 g/t.
• Surface laterite sampling has identified a gold anomaly located 300 metres west of Barrelmaker South. The anomaly contains a central core of greater than 0.10 g/t gold surface material that extends for over one kilometre. Four shallow rotary airblast drillholes tested the zone on one section. Holes intersected significant alteration.
• A gold anomaly has been identified within the Legendre JV. Significant drilling results included 20 metres @ 1.76 g/t gold, 10 metres @ 0.78 g/t gold and 25 metres @ 0.45 g/t gold.

COWRA – NEW SOUTH WALES

• Interpretation of stream sediment geochemistry, airborne geophysics and photogeological studies indicate the area is prospective for porphyry related copper-gold mineralisation. Anomalous zones have already been identified and are contained within a 20-kilometre long alteration envelope.
• Petrological studies indicate that the mineral assemblages identified from numerous alteration and breccia zones sampled are consistent with low-grade propylitic-type alteration in the outer or upper parts of a porphyry-type geological environment. Samples returned anomalous values in copper, zinc and minor gold.
  

Henry Walker Eltin (3 February 2000)

HWE has increased its order book by winning a $120 million bauxite mining contract in Jamaica. Capital expenditure required by the contract is estimated to be about $16 million.

United Energy (3 February 2000)

United has announced a post-abnormals profit of $95.6 million, up 537%. A 9.5 cent dividend was declared.

BeMaX Resources (2 February 2000)

DECEMBER QUARTER - HIGHLIGHTS

Cullen Resources (ex Montague Gold) (2 February 2000)

HIGHLIGHTS - DECEMBER QUARTER

BHP (2 February 2000)

BHP is proceeding with its workplace reforms, with plans to appeal a court decision temporarily halting its offer of individual contracts to WA iron ore workers.

Burdekin Resources (2 February 2000)

Software giant Oracle is expected to partner Burdekin and use it to develop and roll out a local interactive Internet TV operation. Shares in Burdekin were suspended, pending an announcement.

Capral Aluminium (2 February 2000)

Capral is exploring the possible sale of its Kurri Kurri aluminium smelter in NSW - and a return of capital to its shareholders is a possible outcome.

Coolgardie Gold (2 February 2000)

HIGHLIGHTS - QUARTERLY REPORT for the three months ended 31 December 1999

• The Company has increased its equity in Sm@rtTrans Limited to 30%.
• A geophysical survey is planned to follow the large Mount Mackenzie system of mineralisation further westwards under the surface cover rocks.
• The Company has notified Marlborough Resources of its intention to proceed to the next stage of the Marlborough Joint Venture where it can earn up to 80% equity.

Dome Resources (2 February 2000)

HIGHLIGHTS - DECEMBER QUARTERLY REPORT:

• Record production achieved during this quarter- 22,193 oz gold equivalent
• Average Cash Production Cost this Quarter* - AUD 245/oz
• Average Cash Production Cost Year to 30.6.99* - AUD 263/oz

* Cash Cost per oz of Gold Equivalent

The cash cost of refined production for this quarter was AUD 245/oz of gold equivalent. These costs include all mine site cash costs, royalties, PNG mining levy, dispatch and refining expenses in PNG Kina. The cash costs have been calculated by converting the Kina costs for each month into AUD at the average of the opening and closing rate for each month.

CORPORATE
On 12 January 2000, Durban Roodepoort Deep, Limited ("DRD"), a 19.9% shareholder in Dome, announced that it intends making an offer for all of the ordinary shares in Dome that it does not own. DRD stated that it will offer 1 DRD share and A$0.80 cash for every 9 Dome shares. Based on DRD’s closing price on NASDAQ on 11 January 2000 this equated to an offer price of approximately A$0.35 for a Dome share.

The independent directors have advised Dome shareholders not to sell their shares pending receipt of a formal takeover offer and until the independent directors have provided their advice and recommendations to shareholders.

Giants Reef Mining (2 February 2000)

HIGHLIGHTS - DECEMBER QUARTER

Herald Resources (2 February 2000)

QUARTERLY REPORT - FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 1999

For details of the December Quarterly Report, click here.

Macmin (2 February 2000)

DRILLING RESULTS LIKELY TO SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE MINING RESERVE (& INDICATED RESOURCE) WITHIN PROPOSED PIT AT TEXAS SILVER PROJECT QUEENSLAND. GEOCHEMICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL EVIDENCE SUGGESTS ADDITIONAL SILVER DEPOSITS SUCH AS TWIN HILLS WILL BE FOUND ELSEWHERE IN MACMIN’S TEXAS DISTRICT.

Results from a further 25 drill holes at the proposed Twin Hills Mine, Texas Project, (MACMIN 100%) have been received /evaluated. Eleven holes are still pending.

Twelve holes were located within the limits of the proposed open pit, but were at substantial distances from all previous drilling intersections. Seven of these twelve holes recorded (potentially) economic intersections of silver and all holes were anomalous.

Drill hole 146, (located at 4198N, 2493E) recorded high-grade silver mineralisation – 6m at 247g/t, between 24 and 30m depth with the entire 30m deep hole averaging medium-grade ore of 101g/t Ag. The final sample in the hole was 112g/t Ag, indicating likely extension of the high-grade zone to greater depths. Hole 146 is particularly significant, as it extends the previously reported high-grade silver zone from hole 145, a further 27 m to the WSW (from hole 145). For details, click here.

Murchison United (2 February 2000)

Quarterly Report - 31 December 1999 - Highlights

• Record first half EBIT of $13 million (unaudited) reflecting the benefits of operational improvements and reduced operating costs at Renison Bell. The Company is on track to more than double its last years full year EBIT of $11.7 million and its annual EBIT forecast of $11 million made at the time of acquisition.
• The result has been achieved on an average tin price of US$5,600/tonne which is below the current tin price of US$5,740/tonne and below the forecast tin price of US$5,800/tonne at the time of acquisition.
• A major exploration and development programme has commenced at Renison which is designed to convert the existing inventory of Inferred Resources to Reserves. The $22 million programme is being funded from internal cashflow and is designed to extend the mine life to over 10 years.
• Results from the first phase of the programme are extremely encouraging with substantial depth extensions to the existing mineralisation being encountered.
• The Company has reached agreement with Brancote Australia NL to acquire its 40% interest in the Mt Cuthbert Copper Project. The Company has also received a number of approaches regarding the acquisition of the project and expects to finalise a sale of the project prior to 30 June 2000.
• The Company has finalised a A$20 million Revolving Credit Facility with Westpac Banking Corporation and settled the outstanding deferred vendor consideration and Renison Bell revenue royalty with Iluka Resources Limited for A$23 million.BHP is proceeding with its workplace reforms, with plans to appeal a court decision temporarily halting its offer of individual contracts to WA iron ore workers.

New Guinea Gold Corp (1 February 2000)

At the request of the Canadian Venture Exchange, the Company announces that there is no material change in its affairs that has not been previously disclosed or that would warrant the current market activity.

The company has been investigating several opportunities in the area of internet services. There have been no commitments or agreements by any parties. The directors of the company will be reviewing and evaluating opportunities with the goal of increasing the value of the company for its shareholders.

Petroz (2 February 2000)

Report on Activities for the Quarter ended 31 December 1999

OVERVIEW

BAYU-UNDAN

• Development Plan approved by Joint Venture.
• Development Plan submitted to Joint Authority for approval.

BENTU/KORINCI-BARU

• Segat-3 and Baru-5 successful gas wells .

ELANG/KAKATUA/KAKATUA NORTH

• Elang-1 sidetrack approved.

SURAT

• Surat interests sold to Mosaic

FINANCE & CORPORATE

• Cash balance of $ 2.5m as at 31 December 1999
• Revenue totalled $ 2.7m

Petsec Energy (2 February 2000)

Petsec has reported for the December quarter a 6% fall in net oil production and a 0.7% decrease in gas production.

Shield Equities (2 February 2000)

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DECEMBER QUARTER

Victoria Petroleum (2 February 2000)

Victoria Petroleum NL, as Operator for the PRA 436 Joint Venture, advises that the Cadart-1ST (sidetrack) exploration well is at a depth of 1087 meters and coring ahead in 99mm sidetrack hole in the non-reservoir seal cap rock unit. The primary objective section is interpreted to commence at a depth of about 1540 metres.

Centaur Mining (1 February 2000)

REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 31 DECEMBER 1999
OVERVIEW
Cawse Nickel and Cobalt Operations

Nickel processed was 11% above forecast for the quarter. Cawse processed 1,502 tonnes of nickel ("Ni") and 318 tonnes of cobalt ("Co") during the December 1999 quarter. This represents a 56% increase in nickel and 32% increase in cobalt processed compared to the previous quarter.

Metal production of 1,237 tonnes of nickel and 272 tonnes of contained cobalt for the quarter was 43% and 39% above the September 1999 quarter production respectively.

Cash operating costs for the December 1999 quarter were 17% lower than the previous quarter at US$1.64/lb Ni after cobalt credits of US$13.12/lb Co. Cawse contributed net income before depreciation of A$4.6 million (US$3.0 million) for the quarter compared to A$1.5 million (US$1.0 million) in the September 1999 quarter.

The Company increased its nickel laterite resources by 29% to 275.5 million tonnes at 0.7% Ni and 0.04% Co during the December 1999 quarter.

Significant nickel laterite mineralisation was intersected outside the current resources at the Yowie prospect (immediately west of Cawse Extended) with results including 12 metres at 1.1% from 14 metres depth. This mineralisation is outside the traditional Cawse host unit, the Walter Williams Formation, and opens up the potential for additional resources over at least 10 kilometres of strike.


Mt Pleasant Gold Operations

Gold production for the December 1999 quarter totalled 39,879 ounces, 17% above forecast, at an average cash operating cost of A$332 (US$214) per ounce. The gold operations have continued to generate ongoing cost reductions and positive cash flows and contributed net income before depreciation of A$5.7 million (US$3.7 million) for the quarter.

Drilling undertaken below the base of the Quarters Central pit has delineated the depth continuity of the 020 and 040 structures for the proposed adits in the north-eastern and south-western walls of the pit and three levels for the proposed underground development. Results include 6 metres at 39.4 g/t gold from 57 metres below the pit floor and 15 metres at 11.8 g/t gold from 105 metres below the pit floor.

Drilling in the December 1999 quarter has identified high-grade mineralisation in three new areas at Carbine North-East (18 metres at 11.2 g/t gold from 135 metres depth), Matt Dam (12 metres at 6.4 g/t gold from 8 metres depth) and Gidji Lake (4 metres at 11.2 g/t gold from 34 metres depth). Further drilling in these areas is planned for the March 2000 quarter.

A feasibility study was commenced during the December 1999 quarter following the successful completion of pre-feasibility studies for the underground mining options for non-refractory ore from the Enterprise and Quarters Central deposits. Metallurgical programs to determine the cost-effective option for treatment of the Racetrack refractory ore are continuing. A report on the intermediate process of flotation concentration is due early in the March 2000 quarter.

Financial
Gold sales were 36,237 ounces at an average realised price of A$483 (US$311) per ounce, which was A$24 (US$15) above the average spot price of A$459 (US$296) for the December 1999 quarter. Nickel and cobalt sales totalled A$20.5 million (US$13.2 million) during the December 1999 quarter at an average nickel price of US$3.63/lb. The unaudited net operating loss for the December 1999 quarter was A$1.0 million (US$0.6 million). Cash and bullion on hand at 31 December 1999 was A$68.9 million (US$44.4 million).

Corporate
KPMG Corporate Finance (Australia) Pty Ltd ("KMPG") has advised the Company that the proposed takeover of Australian Gold Resources Limited ("AGR") is fair in accordance with the indenture regulating the US note issue. KPMG has also prepared a report to shareholders advising that the offer for AGR is fair and reasonable. The report is included in documentation forwarded to shareholders in relation to a general meeting convened for 18 February 2000 to seek shareholder approval to acquire AGR shares from certain AGR shareholders.

Icon Oil (1 February 2000)

Icon Oil NL is pleased to announce that an agreement has been signed with Bayou Choctaw Inc and Warren Operating Company Inc, to purchase an interest in a production development opportunity in Louisiana, USA. This interest varies from 13% to 80% and will be held in Icon Oil U.S., LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Icon Oil NL.

N M Rothschild & Son (Australia) Ltd have been engaged to arrange and provide a debt facility to fund the development of the proven reserves in Louisiana. Icon expects to conclude these arrangements by early March with drilling commencing soon after. For details, click here.

Lakes Oil (1 February 2000)

SUMMARY - DECEMBER QUARTER

Lakes has been investigating the potential of the North Seaspray prospect, located south of Sale between the town of Seaspray and the Longford gas processing plant. The primary target for this prospect is the Golden Beach Formation sands, which flowed gas in the North Seaspray-1 well, drilled down structure by Arco-Woodside in 1962.

MIM Holdings (1 February 2000)

SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR SIX MONTHS TO 31 DECEMBER 1999
Main Points

• An improving trend in the company’s financial performance continued with a $52.2 million operating profit following a $1.8 million profit in the June 1999 half and a $40.2 million loss in the December 1998 half (all MIM’s share).
• The gain was due to generally improved operational performances.
• Overall, A$ prices received had a negative impact on revenue compared with the December 1998 half though positive compared with the June 1999 half.

MIM’s share of total operating cashflow was $450.3 million comprising:

• $194.8 million from operating activities ($236 million in the June 1999 half and $144 million in the December 1998 half.)
• $255.5 million from a one-off forward sale of silver announced last month, which had virtually no impact on the operating profit.

MIM’s share of total capital expenditure for the period was $244.4 million compared with $248.1 million for the June 1999 half and $378.5 million for the December 1998 half, reflecting a reduction in the group’s major new project spending at Mount Isa. Sustaining capital accounted for $61.8 million, growth capital $166.2 million and exploration $16.4 million. At Mount Isa, pre-commissioning of the Enterprise copper mine was in progress at the end of the half. Development of the George Fisher zinc-lead-silver mine was well advanced with major upgrade work at the Mount Isa lead concentrator completed during the half. Work on the copper smelter waste gas capture project was largely completed.

MIM’s share of total debt at 31 December 1999 declined to $1.494 billion ($1.618 billion 30 June 1999). Proceeds from the forward sale of silver were applied to debt reduction. Gearing under MIM’s debt covenants (debt/debt + tangible net worth, excluding other participants’ interests in the Alumbrera and Ernest Henry projects) consequently declined to 40.3% (45.1% at 31 December 1998 and 43.2% at 30 June 1999).

Net profit of $107.3 million included profit from abnormal items of $55.1 million being principally:

• tax benefit of $36.2 million arising from the restatement of deferred tax balances as a consequence of the Australian company income tax rate change to 34% applicable from 1 July 2000, and then to 30% applicable from 1 July 2001; and
• tax benefit of $20.4 million arising from settlement with the Australian Taxation Office of claims for the Research and Development taxation concession mainly for periods prior to 30 June 1990. Claims for the concession for later years remain under review.
  

North Limited (1 February 2000)

SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR SIX MONTHS TO 31 DECEMBER 1999

The North Board today announced a net profit for the half year of $334.0m and an interim dividend of 5.0 cents per share fully franked at 36%. The second quarter profit contribution was $71.3m.

It is noted that the prior year second quarter and half year consolidated results included results for both Warman and Kanowna Belle which were sold in September 1999 and October 1999 respectively.
However, excluding the Warman and KB contributions, the earnings before interest and tax for the half represented a 19% decrease over the previous corresponding half and a 37% improvement on the previous half.

GROUP REVIEW

In commenting on the half year results, the Managing Director, Mr Malcolm Broomhead said:

"North Limited's strong profit for the first half of 1999/2000 includes abnormal profits of $259.8 million pre-tax on the sale of Warman and Kanowna Belle as well as a positive adjustment of $28.2 million for the effect of the new corporate tax rates on previously recorded deferred tax balances.

Within the operations, Robe River was again the powerhouse with strong demand for iron ore continuing throughout the half. The outlook for iron ore volumes for both Robe and the Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) continues to be strong, with IOC's sales book being fully committed for calendar year 2000.

North's cost efficiency drive, as well as a more stringent approach to capital management and asset rationalisation have all contributed to the results.

Whilst North achieved much in the first half, we also lost four close friends and colleagues as a result of the Northparkes mine accident. This tragedy deeply touched everyone at North and Ross Bodkin, Michael House, Stuart Osman and Colin Lloyd-Jones will all be missed.

The underground mine at Northparkes recommenced production on 20 January 2000.

Subsequent to end of the period, seven Japanese steel mills have issued sales letters of intent to purchase Marra Mamba ore from the West Angelas project. This strong support has provided great impetus to North's growth and strategic focus as a world class iron ore company.

North's immediate growth focus will continue to be in iron ore, which currently contributes greater than 50% of the Group's earnings and where we have a competitive advantage, the skill set and experience to continue adding value."

Precious Metals Australia (1 February 2000)