The board of Newry-based First Derivatives has approved a payment to shareholders of a second interim dividend of 4p for each ordinary share on March 31st.

In a trading statement, the technology group said it expected to be able to report pretax profits for the year ended February 2010 in line with market expectations.

Meanwhile, the North’s only salt mine has been granted planning approval for a major extension equal to 340 football pitches, at 279 hectares.

The North’s Minister for the Environment Edwin Poots said the extension, which will create 10 jobs, was good news for the local economy.