HEALTH Minister Mary Harney was last night revealed to be a big loser in the collapse of Bank of Ireland shares.

PERSIAN Gold — the Irish-owned exploration company and one of the few Western firms operating in Iran — should have a clearer idea of its ability to reach the commercial threshold on its flagship Dalli prospect in the country by the end of March, at the latest.

IRISH gold and copper exploration company, Persian Gold has had positive results in its latest second-phase drilling at its Dalli mine in Iran.

PERSIAN GOLD is expecting to see initial drilling results from its four main projects in Iran by the end of next month.

PERSIAN Gold has announced an expansion of its activities in Iran. The firm has acquired two additional gold projects.

Persian Gold has started trading on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market today.