If critical minerals become a new front in the contest between economic superpowers,Australia could benefit from an alliance with Japan.
The local bourse has closed at a fresh record high,as it came within a whisker of breaching the'emotional trigger point'of 7000 points.
WA police have charged a 30-year-old man from Craigie with murder following an investigation into a death that occurred at a pre-start meeting at Pilbara Mineral's Pilgangoora lithium mine.
Department of Industry,Innovation and Science figures reveal flat lithium export revenue figures for the next five years as supply overtakes demand.
The lithium train shows no sign of slowing in WA as the state's newest mine officially opens,with plans already in motion to expand the Pilbara operation.
BHP has deliberately derailed a driverless runaway train that carried 268 wagons loaded with ore for 92km across the Pilbara.
The owner of one of the state's biggest lithium mines says there's increased tightness in the mining job market but can't see crippling skill shortage happening.
Rio Tinto approved $196 million to begin planning and engineering work on its Koodaideri iron ore mine in WA's Pilbara region.
A huge drop in the number of WA mining engineer students has the industry worried.
The Takeovers Panel has rejected a request from Andrew Forrest's Fortescue to look into a takeover bid of junior miner Atlas Iron by Hancock Prospecting.
FMG's Eliwana mine could create up to 1900 jobs during construction and 500 full time site positions once operational but its not without controversy.