ENERGY

American companies First Reserve and Alpha Natural Resources (NYSE:ANR) are contemplating a $3 billion takeover of Australia's Whitehaven Coal (ASX:WHC), which has confirmed it has had a data room open to suitors for some time.

Nathan Tinkler's initial public offering for Australian developer of coal projects Aston Resources has been lowered by about 25 per cent to secure investor interest and a stock exchange listing.

Atlas Iron Ltd (ASX:AGO) chief executive David Flanagan said he would not vote for Julia Gillard, whom he labeled a "tax queen" given the government's plan to impose the revised levy.

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has welcomed the Federal Court's move to dismiss a case to a non-union workplace agreement affecting its iron ore operations, while the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) said it was considering a High Court appeal.

Downer EDI (ASX:DOW) saw its shares rise upon finalising a $3 billion contract with Australian miner Fortescue Metals Group (ASX:FMG).

Australian gold company Cleveland Mining Limited plans to list on the Australian Stock Exchange, according to a company statement released today.

SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB), a manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells panels and systems, today announced its completion of a 505-kilowatt solar power installation for Horizon Power, a government-owned utility servicing remote and regional communities and resource operations in Western Australia.

Rio Tinto has advanced to the next stage of developing its world-class Simandou iron ore project in Guinea, approving US$170 million of further funding for mine, rail and port infrastructure work.

Caltex Australia (ASX:CTX) today launched a high ethanol-based fuel designed for use in Holden's VE Series II Commodore flex-fuel vehicles to be released later this year.

Coal Services Pty Limited (CSPL), an industry-owned, workplace focused, specialist organisation, today announced that workers' compensation premium rates for the New South Wales coal mining industry continue the established trend of annual decreases following the confirmation of a targeted rate of 3.6 per cent for 2010/2011.

Coal Services Pty Limited (CSPL), an industry-owned, workplace focused, specialist organisation, today announced that workers' compensation premium rates for the New South Wales coal mining industry continue the established trend of annual decreases following the confirmation of a targeted rate of 3.6 per cent for 2010/2011.

The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC), which represents junior and mid-tier miners, has begun a new advertising campaign against the Gillard government's resources tax but dismisses it as it is politically influenced.

North Queensland Metals Ltd (NQM) says its belief that Conquest Mining Ltd's recent acquisition offer was insufficient has been validated by new mining producing heavy gold results.

An enormous Papua New Guinea gas project can potentially put the impoverished nation on the path to economic sustainability, according to Australian Trade Minister Stephen Smith.

Greens leader Bob Brown warned today that any agreement on the RSPT reached behind closed doors could be amended in the Senate.

The Gillard government has cautioned it may have to forego company tax cuts and higher superannuation contributions to counterbalance any loss of revenue from a potential agreement with the mining sector over the troublesome RSPT.

Fortescue Metals is planning to appeal a ruling by the Australian Competition Tribunal not to force BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto to share their two main railroads to Port Hedland - Mount Newman and Hamersley to other miners.

The Australian Competition Tribunal on Wednesday ordered BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, the second- and third-largest iron ore exporters, to share their multibillion-dollar infrastructure in the Pilbara to others.

Multinational mining and resources group Rio Tinto will exercise warrants to acquire shares of Ivanhoe Mines, expanding its interest to 30 per cent for about $US393 million.

The share market was in positive territory by early afternoon with banks and miners leading the way after the exchange opened lower today.

Rio Tinto shareholders are still likely to refuse the $US116 billion iron-ore joint venture with BHP in the Pilbara, according to Royal Bank of Scotland analysts.

New prime minister Julia Gillard is rushing to meet a Friday deadline to conclude the damaging debate over the resource super-profits tax.

The Australian government has announced it is open for discussions with the mining sector over the controversial resource super profits tax and is anxious to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.

New Prime Minister Julia Gillard seeks a quick agreement with miners over RSPT in order to counterbalance the issue at this year's general election, according to newspapers.

WorleyParsons Ltd has cut a deal to supply engineering services for Brazilian iron ore mining company Vale's S11D project near Sao Paulo in Brazil.

The Phillips River gold project is not likely to be cancelled if the resource super profits tax is implemented in its current form, according to Junior gold and base metals explorer Tectonic Resources.

Peabody Energy, denied in a bid for acquisition in Australia recently, is still interested in expanding their holdings in the area in order to answer demands in the region and is also working at striking a deal with the Mongolian government, said Gregory Boyce, CEO of Peabody today.

Riversdale Mining has entered a $1 billion-plus contract with a Chinese state-owned steel maker to set up a second coking coal mine in Mozambique, in hopes to become the world's biggest producer.

British-based BG Group has won the Queensland government environmental approvals for a liquid natural gas plant at Gladstone.