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The article reports on the growing investment interest in agricultural produce and food in Australia. According to investor Jim Slater, soft commodities are replacing hard commodities, like minerals and metals, as the next hot sector. The author enumerates the reasons why soft commodities may beat hard commodities in the field of investment and highlights the companies investing in farm produce and agriculture.

The article reports on the “awakening” of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry in Australia. The LNG sector has promised a multi-billion big bang of developments across northern Australia for 20 years but failed to deliver, until now. Some positive developments in the LNG industry include “commoditization” of LNG technology, narrowing of the price gap between LNG and oil, and launch of single-company projects.

The article looks at the expected recovery of Australian gold companies due to the increasing interest in gold as a favored form of investment following the continued decline in the value of the U.S. dollar. The share price of gold miners such as Newcrest, Lihir Gold, Saint Barbara, Monarch and Apex Minerals had been increasing following gold mine developments and investments from global financiers.

The article presents comments of seven chief executives of leading mining companies including Tom Albanese, Chip Goodyear, Owen Hegarty, Andrew Forrest, Peter Johnston, Greg Gailey and Brian Gilbertson on the business trends of the mining industry in Australia. According to them, the mineral industry will continue to expand which in turn is strengthening the Australian economy. The executives analyzed the nature of growth in the industry with respect to various minerals. INSETS: Governments control and restrict;Minerals ain't oils;Staff health tones up return.

The article reports on the market interest for magnetite among mining companies in Australia in 2007. Magnetite mining and exploration has been the target of investment proposals that are expected to revolutionize the Australian mining industry dominated by Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton. The ambitious mining plans of several mining firms for magnetite are also cited.

The article offers information about the increasing number of women who rise into senior executive positions in the mining industry in Australia. It is stated that it has been a challenge for men miners on how to work with women superiors who have reputations in doing things differently and challenge conventions. Details on how Dr. Megan Clark, head of technology at BHP Billiton Ltd., as well as other women senior executives, able to manage well the industry are discussed. INSETS: Unlock the value;Extreme geology.

The article discusses key issues concerning the resource sector in Australia. According to George Jones, chairman of the emerging iron ore producer, Gindalbie Metals, the boom in the industry will continue but not smoothly. Gina Rhinehart, a member of "BRW's Rich 200" and the richest woman in Australia, says that a shortage of skilled workers is hampering the fieldwork programs of Hancock Prospecting, the iron business she inherited from her father.

The article focuses on the impact of the severe balance between supply and demand on property prices in Perth, Western Australia. It is noted that much of the credit for the astonishing 35.4 percent rise in the median house price in the 2005-2006 financial year is assigned to the growth of the resources. Huge investment in new mines is attracting a rush of workers to the area. The stampede for jobs is being meet by a slow government land-development approval process for new building sites.

The article reports on the acquisition of WMC Resources Ltd. by the BHP Billiton Ltd. Last year, Billiton paid too much when it acquired WMC for $9.2 billion. Today, using commodity and share prices as a guide, WMC'c value may have increased to as much as $15 billion. This sharp increase was due to the dwindling supplies of raw materials. INSET: How to spot the potential targets, by Tim Treadgold.

The article discusses the business condition in Perth, Western Australia. Perth is currently experiencing a resources industry boom. The whole of Western Australia had an economic growth of 10.4 percent in the final quarter of 2005. Several business enterprises that have benefited from the boom is presented. The arts industry has also fared exceptionally. Mark Creasy, a prospector, believes that the resources industry is expected to have a long-term success with an increase in investment.

The article profiles Gina Rinehart, heiress of late mining magnate Lang Hancock. Rinehart became the first female billionaire in Australia when his father left her with personal and corporate fortunes. In 1990s she was close to going bankrupted, but now she regained the wealth due to increase in value of her father's iron ore deposits and has paid her father's debts. Four factors that helped Rhinehart survive and raise her to top of the country's elite are also included.

The article reports on the economic growth in Western Australia (WA) with a 10.4 percent increase in 2005. However, question is raised whether or not it can sustain such growth since its resource-based economy was blocked by the demand of China for raw materials. Furthermore, Alan Carpenter, WA Premier stressed that its main focus is keeping with infrastructure demand and paying the for health, education, police, and water supplies.

The article reports on the boom of resources in Australia. After three years of rising commodity and share prices, market analysts are expecting an inevitable slowdown. But industry players in the mines and mineral resources hold a positive outlook, just enough for miners to maintain earnings momentum.

Presents an evaluation of the stock market performance of companies in Australia. Introduction to the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) All Ordinaries Index; Presentation of a chart depicting the ranks of large and small companies by growth on share price in the stock market; Suggestions for investors upon evaluating stock market performance of various business enterprises.

Reports on the outlook of mines and mineral resources sector in Australia. Failure of the new mining companies to win recognition as emerging sector of leaders; Escalation of commodity prices resulting from demand exceeding supply; Volatility of stock prices; Observation of a fundamental shift in the drivers behind the metal market.

Focuses on the appointment of Richard Goyder as the next chief executive officer of Australia-based Westfarmers. Important decisions that Goyder has to make as head of the company; Challenges in filling the shoes of former chief executive Michael Chaney. INSET: Moving up the ranks..

Interviews Multiplex founder John Roberts about the Wembley National Stadium crisis in London, England, his family, and the problems facing the company. Roberts family's role in the running of the company; Collapse of Multiplex's share price; Multiplex work in progress as of June 2005; Roberts' confidence the problems facing Multiplex would be resolved.

Compares the performance of mining companies Rio Tinto PLC and BHP Billiton Ltd. in Australia. Increase in the price of iron ore accepted by Rio Tinto's CEO Leigh Clifford; Decline in the share price of BHP; Forecast profit of BHP for 2006; Objective of Rio Tinto to invest in value-creating projects. INSETS: Madagascar revival, by Tim Treadgold.;Fingers crossed on HIsmelt, by Tim Treadgold..

Profiles Hugh Morgan, chairman of the Business Council of Australia. Decision to invest in BioDiem, an Australian Stock Exchange-listed biotechnology company; Problems he faced when he was the CEO of WMC and his skills as a mining executive; His willingness to speak on public policy; Call for tax, industrial relations, welfare and infrastructure reforms.

Reports on the success in business of Woodside Petroleum in Australia. Replacement of the European heritage with an American-style oil culture; Corporate investment on the production of oil and gas projects; Improvement in the business forecasting with an increased stockholders' value.

Profiles the top ten performing small businesses in Australia. Name of the company and the percentage of growth that have accumulated in the three years to the second half of 2004; Career background on the founding executives; Their business strategy for expansion in the local and world market.

Focuses on Michael Chaney, chief executive of Wesfarmers Ltd. and BRW's Most Admired Business Leader. Career background; Personality; Chaney's view of the business world; Economic intelligence; Management skills; Management style; Achievements; Advice for other chief executive officers.

Looks at the business and economic performance of Western Australia. Factors contributing to the region's economic growth; Total spending on resource projects; Percentage decline in unemployment.

Features Wesfarmers Ltd. in Australia. Management; Marketing strategy; Financial performance of the company.

Reports on the growth of Multiplex, an Australian construction company founded by John Roberts in 1962. Major international construction projects completed by Multiplex; Financial performance of the company; Management strategies of Roberts. INSET: Construction set: Multiplex's biggest projects..

Reports on the growth of business in Esperance, on the south coast of Western Australia. Profits of shops during the summer season; Strategy for survival of tourist-related businesses; management of the triple role of the town as a port, farming service center and tourist destination.

Assesses the investments in new floats in Australia. Status of companies that joined the Australian Stock Exchange in 2003; Performance of floats; Failure rate of new floats; Highest failure rate; Problem with the book building process according to professional investors.

Provides information on chief executive's package of shares, options and indirect shares at several mining firms in Australia. Kerry Harmanis of Jubilee Mines; Andrew Forrest of Siberia Mining Corp.; Keith Liddell of Sally Malay Mining.

Explores the economic conditions in Western Australia. International import/export figures; Rise in value of Australian currency against the U.S. dollar; Resource developments; International migration; Top performing companies; Labor market; Outlook for the production of minerals, oil and gas.

Reports on the positive outlook for profit growth among Australia's biggest companies in 2004. Continuation of the strong results of profit reporting season for companies with a June 30, 2003 balance data; Share prices of BHP Billiton; International nature of earnings-per-share forecast; Industries with best investment growth prospects. INSET: STRONG PROMISE..

Reports that the expansion of businessman Kerry Stokes's franchise with Caterpillar Inc., manufacturer of earth-moving equipment, will enable him to offset losses in other parts of his conglomerate, Seven Network. Conspiracy allegation made by Seven against rival television broadcasters; Stockbrokers' upgrading of their investment recommendations on Seven; Share price trends.

Presents a description of Port Lincoln in Australia. Economic activity in the port; Property prices.

Focuses on the decline in Australian company, Wesfarmers Ltd.'s share prices. Attributing factors behind the company's declining stock value; Economic and environmental elements that contributed to the company's financial and operational problems; Worth of reduction in the company's stock value; Strategies being considered by the firm's key executives; Potential takeover targets for Wesfarmers. INSETS: On the takeover trail.;Opening up, four times a year.;Who's next?.

Reports on the possible failure of a plan to ensure Australia can guarantee its own long-term supplies of liquid fuels by developing a world-class gas-to-liquids (GTL) project. Business rivalry and differing corporate and government objectives; Speculation that Prime Minister John Howard offered incentives over the life of the GTL project.

Focuses on the state of the mineral industry in Australia. Prices of minerals and metals; Stages of the market revival; Decline in mineral exploration; Outlook for aluminum.

Focuses on the stock market performance of the petroleum industry in 2003. Factors influencing the continued strength of oil products; Impact of the possible war on Iraq on the price of oil; Effects of sustained rise in global oil prices on economic growth in most countries; Investors' concern on the effects of the labor crisis in Venezuela and the conflict in Iraq.

Focuses on the interest of investors in the gold industry in Australia in 2002. Price of gold shares; Issues that investors should consider; Stock market performance of some gold companies. INSET: Quality prospect.

Discusses the remote management issue faced by international miners in Australia that use technology that causes harm to local environment. Threat of closure faced by the alumina refineries of Alcoa Inc. in Western Australia; Reason for the shutdown of the Worsley liquor-burning plant of AWAA in Collie, West Australia; Function of the International Council on Mining and Metals formed by mining companies. INSET: Remote and insensitive.

Reports on the acknowledgement by De Beers that the consumer-focused marketing of Australia's Argyle Diamonds will form the basis of a system that will replace its own structure. Advantage of the initiative of De Beer to restructure the world's diamond market; Remarks from De Beers worldwide head of sales and marketing, Stephen Lussier on competition in the diamond market; Brief history of the diamond industry. INSET: A relic returns.

Focuses on the errors on the publication in BRW's annual list of richest people in Australia. Problems of the failing transactions; Effect of slumping wool and rural property prices on stockbrokers; Sources of information to support loan approval.

Discusses the efforts of BHP Billiton Ltd. to succeed in producing nickel in Australia. Choice of the company to either acquire an existing producer or take the risk of investing in another mine to achieve the goal; Performance of the profits from nickel assets; Potential of the business to be a leader in nickel industry consolidation. INSET: Three reasons for caution..

Focuses on the challenges on developing metals in Australia. Factors affecting metal projects; Failure of securing a long term market; Apprehension of mining companies on venturing in metal projects; Risks involved in developing new metal projects. INSET: Uncertainty clouds a silicon dream..

Focuses on the problem of the BHP Biliton and Rio Tinton on the value of iron ore in Australia. Increase on the value of iron ore; Failure on the production of commercial quantities; Improvement of the low grade iron.

Focuses on the management strategy of Woodside Petroleum. Reference to the leadership principles of McKinsey and Company; Application of compassion among employees to boost profit; Evaluation of the personal values of staff.

Focuses on the reasons of executives for engaging in mid-life career change in Australia. Assessment on corporate life fulfillment; Decline in client-service trends; Availability of job opportunities for corporate dropouts.

Examines the mining industry in Australia. Globalization of the sector; Investment performance; Liquidity question.

Profiles Rio Tinto, an Australian entrepreneur in the diamond industry and trade. Business ventures; Career background; Views on the economy; Achievements.

Focuses on the financial performance of Australia-based corporations in the financial year ending June 30, 2001. Companies that have recorded gains in profits and revenues; Losses suffered by companies; Factors affecting corporations' financial performance. INSET: HIGH, LOW AND WHO KNOWS?.

Forecasts implications on the merging of BHP and Billiton in Australia. Surveys on the failures of company merging; Differences in cultures; Scenarios of companies experiencing culture clash.

Suggests signs of globalization in Australia through the removal of some head offices of companies and becoming a branch office economy in 2001. Efforts of Australian cities to handle globalization; Introduction of the branch-office syndrome in Western Australia; Staff cuts at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission in its Perth office.