The ISEQ index of Irish shares rose 54.47 points to 6795.3 today.

Mining and exploration company MinMet has reached agreement on the sale of its Bjorkdal gold mine in Sweden to Canadian company Gold Ore Resources for $8m (€6.5m).

Exploration company Minmet has reported a drop in production from its Bjorkdal gold mining operation in northern Sweden last year.

Exploration company Minmet has swung into profitability in 2003, as it established itself as a gold producer with a range of exploration interests throughout Scandinavia, the Dominican Republic and South America.