A round-up of today's other stories in brief
New business sales up 23% at Eagle Star
New business sales at Eagle Star Life grew by 23 per cent in 2005, with total sales rising to €122.7 million, when measured on an annual premium equivalent (APE) basis.
New pensions business increased 25 per cent to €83.3 million, while new life business increased 18 per cent to €39.5 million. The figures are measured on an annual premium equivalent (APE) basis, which is 10 per cent of the value of new single premium sales added to the value of regular premium sales.
New single premium investment business increased by 45 per cent.
Record earnings for Lundin
Swedish exploration company Lundin Mining achieved record earnings and cash flow during the fourth quarter of 2005, as a result of strong commodity prices and good performances from its three mining operations, including the Galmoy mine acquired through its takeover of Arcon last year, the company said yesterday. Earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortisation (Ebidta) were $75 million (€63 million) on sales of $192 million.
Lundin said it was optimistic going into 2006, thanks in part to its recent financing agreement with Sunridge Gold Corp, a publicly traded Canadian mining company.
Minco's positive drilling results
Precious and base metals exploration company Minco has announced positive results from drilling at its Pallas Green Project in Limerick and Tipperary.
The project is a joint venture between Minco, which is listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in London, and Falconbridge Limited. Minco said it had found a zone of significant zinc mineralisation, 800 metres south of the Tobermalug area.
McCross joins Tullow Oil
Tullow Oil has announced the appointment of Angus McCoss as general manager of exploration.
Mr McCoss will join the company at the end of April and will be responsible for the implementation of Tullow's exploration programmes. He joins Tullow from Shell.
IrishJobs.ie snaps up Chinese site
The owners of IrishJobs.ie, the Keyland Group, have bought a Chinese recruitment website based in Shanghai for an undisclosed amount.
SHjob.cn was founded in 2003 and advertises more than 12,000 jobs from 4,000 companies. It employs more than 50 staff, has 240,000 registered users and has 10,000 visitors per day.
