A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Minmet relinquishes IEX listing

Minmet, the struggling resources company that is in the process of transforming itself from an exploration firm to a broader oil and gas group, has become the second company to relinquish its listing on Dublin's IEX, the index for smaller enterprise companies.

Chairman Mike Neville said Minmet's listing on the IEX had always been a stepping stone to a listing on London's AIM and that since that had been achieved in January 2006 there was little need for an Irish listing. He said the company was unlikely to retain its Norwegian listing either.

At an agm in Dublin in August, Minmet shareholders approved plans to change the company's name to Achill Resources. The first company to leave the IEX was Calyx in July following a management buyout.

Ormonde Mining study almost done Ormonde Mining confirmed yesterday that the feasibility study for its copper, gold and zinc project at La Zarza in Spain was in its final stages and would be complete before the end of the year.

The company made the announcement as it reported a widening of its first-half loss to €284,000, from €236,000 in the same period last year.

In the statement Ormonde said that following a €1.7 million fund raising in July it now has sufficient capital to support ongoing drilling programmes, including the Barruecopardo tungsten project, which has been upgraded to an advanced project following better-than-expected results.

Aminex reveals successful test

Oil and gas company Aminex has released a drilling update, announcing the successful testing, fracturing and completion of well GU37, the company's third well in the South Weslaco Field, Texas.

The well tested gas at more than 2.5 million cubic feet a day (mmcfd) and production has commenced at a restricted rate of 1 mmcfd. The findings establish the commercial potential of the field's deeper zone. Aminex already produces gas from two other wells on the same field and a fourth is planned for later this year.

Fyffes appoints O'Dwyer to board

Fruit group Fyffes has appointed James O'Dwyer, the former chairman of Arthur Cox in Dublin, to its board with immediate effect.

The company yesterday also announced that Willie Walsh, chief executive of British Airways, will leave the board at the end of October.

Fyffes chairman David McCann said Mr O'Dwyer's extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions will be of particular benefit as Fyffes pursues its medium-term growth strategy.