ENERGY

Australia Pacific LNG Pty Limited today said it has received state environmental approval for its coal seam gas (CSG) to liquefied natural gas (LNG) project.

Australian coal hauler and transporter QR National Ltd. has received keen interest from foreign investment managers for its $5 billion dollar initial public offering (IPO) before its formal offering on November 22

The weak US dollar will continue to fuel the higher prices of commodities considered as the next safest forms of investment.

The government of Australia may be willing to compromise and put up new concessions on its proposed minerals resource rent tax that will satisfy the country's mining industry.

Strativity Group, a leading provider of customer experience services, today announced it has opened an office in Sydney to support growing interest from Australian and New Zealand organisations in adopting customer-centric approaches and proactively managing their customer experiences.

The Queensland government has recently granted the approval to Xstrata Zinc Australia's expansion project of the George Fisher Mine in Mount Isa.

Mining firm Xstrata Plc has increased its offer price for iron ore developer Perth-based Sphere Minerals Ltd (SPH.AU) to $3 a share and declared the offer best and estimated at $514 million.

The Australian stock market is gathering mixed leads in today's trading day as the last-minute decline in the Wall Street trading will have some influence, but analysts are more optimistic.

The Australia Pacific LNG consortium of companies has advised relevant landholders, the Queensland Government, Western Downs Regional Council and Maranoa Regional Council of the results of chemical analysis of samples taken from water bores on properties where exploration wells that have recently been hydraulically fracture stimulated in the Surat Basin, west of Miles.

Oil and gas producer Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) announced on Wednesday it achieved record September quarter production and sales revenues after strong performances at key projects.

A mixed performance of global stocks is seen to create a bearish mood in the Australian stock markets today.

Australia must prepare as early as now for the end of the mining boom or else feel the wrath of internal and external pressures on the monetary and fiscal situation of the country, Reserve Bank Governor Mr. Glenn Stevens said today.

Chi-X Global Inc. is still set to work towards launching in March 2011, in spite the growing threat of a tougher competitive environment with the bid takeover of the Singaporean bourse of rival ASX Ltd.

Canadian Equinox Minerals Limited (TSX and ASX: EQN) ("Equinox") has announced that it has completed an agreement Australia's Resource Group Limited (ASX:CGG) ("Citadel"), under which Equinox proposes to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Citadel by way of a recommended takeover offer (the "Offer"). The Board of Citadel has recommended unanimously that Citadel shareholders accept the Offer, in the absence of a superior proposal.

Australia's three top mining companies have called a meeting with the government to clarify the tax agreement seen on the brink of collapse.

The Australian government is set to decide on the liquefied natural gas venture project of Santos Ltd. and BG Group PLC Origin and partner ConocoPhillips in Queensland on Oct. 22.

Any upward adjustments in the mining royalty rates to be implemented by states and territories will all be unacceptable to Prime Minister Julia Gillard as this would put Australia's top mining resources industry at risk.

The Australian mining industry and authorities are again headed for another serious debate with regards if taxes and royalties issues are not resolved immediately.

BHP Billiton Ltd. (ASX: BHP) has reported a 6 percent increase in its iron ore production, which meets higher steel demand and promotes wider expansion in Western Australia.

The sudden tightening of fiscal policy in China again is seen sending a new wave of tests on the inner strength of the Australian dollar and equity markets.

After years of continuous growth in the number of Australians choosing GreenPower electricity plans, the green tide has turned as 138,000 households ditched their GreenPower plan over the last 12 months.

Global miners BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto have noted with disappointment the statement today by the German Federal Cartel Office (FCO) that its current intention is to prohibit the companies' proposed iron ore production joint venture in Western Australia.

The planned joint venture between the two largest miners in the world reached another setback as BHP Billiton (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) received another disappointment with the German Federal Cartel Office (FCO).

Australian mining firm Indophil Resources NL is most certain that a Philippine-based partner for their world-class mining reserve project is the way to go.

The Australian stock market is seen to benefit from the gains of the S&P 500 index and futures, which both bounced back reflecting the Federal Reserve's decision to ease up on its fiscal policy.

Australian oil and gas firm Woodside Petroleum Ltd (WPL.AX) has launched a hunt for a new boss after its chief executive Don Voelte announced he will step down in the second half of 2011.

Investments in gas-fired power plants may double and reach close to $15 billion in the near term if Australia starts to implement a stiff price on carbon emissions, Fitch Ratings said.

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 is expected to ease from its early rally this week, as investors are wary of China's economic performance. Analysts said though there will be a positive push from the turn of events in the US with the Federal Reserve's decision to temper its fiscal policy, this will not easily avert the dampened mood that may set in today.

As the country struggles to retain its global competitiveness but retaining its current energy production levels to sustain local industries, the Australian Parliament has chosen to put a price on coal emissions.