ownership

Middle Eastern airline, Etihad Airways have increased their holdings in Virgin Australia (ASX:VAH). Etihad bought 221 million shares on the ASX stockmarket.

• Etihad chief executive officer James Hogan said, "We are very pleased to have reached this threshold. We support the management strategy of Virgin Australia and will continue to work closely with them on ways to improve our business."
• Etihad doubles ownership stake in Virgin Australia to 10 percent.

Hong Kong investment company Wah Nam International Holdings (WNI) has offered A$196 million to buy the remaining shares of the Pilbara iron ore aspirant Brockman Resources (BRM) it does not own. WNI won the bid in June to take a hold of 55 per cent of Brockman, and now makes a move for a full takeover.

Rio Tinto (RIO), one of the largest mining companies of Australia have seen the beginning of a new era for its iron ore operations as the first load of iron ore was dispatched from its new Mesa A/Warramboo mine which is located 50 km. west of the township of Pannawonica. It is to be mentioned that the Mesa A/Warramboo is the part of the Robe River Joint Venture where Rio Tinto holds 53 percent ownership.