Miners still dig up the biggest salaries

Jobs ads giant Seek has found that the mining boom may be showing signs it's on the wane but when it comes to salaries, resources and energy jobs still command the highest pay packets in the land, The Australian reports.

Its annual salary review has shown that jobs in the mining industry have taken the five highest-paying positions in Australia on average, with oil and gas geoscientists taking the top spot with a salary of $158,671.

IPO hopefuls face a difficult year, says WAM

Australian mining companies looking to float in 2014 will face jaded investors and a tough equities market which will hamper appetite for new listings, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

That is the view of listed investment company WAM Research chairman, Geoff Wilson, who warned investors were fatigued with initial public offerings following a rush of public floats last year.

“It's definitely going to be a difficult year,” Wilson said. “Everyone was trying to get whatever they could list before Christmas, trying to get them out the door.”

CNOOC dumps South Australia coal-to-liquids venture

Chinese oil giant CNOOC has ditched its South Australian joint venture with London-listed Altona Energy, which was targeting an ambitious coal-to-liquids project, according to the Australian Financial Review.