Tara Mines lease deal will see staffing levels retained

New lease terms have been agreed by Tara Mines’ Swedish owners and the Government.

The agreement — which coincided with a site visit by Fergus O’Dowd, the minister of state for natural resources — will retain current staffing levels, which amount to 650 jobs, and will ensure mining operations at the zinc and lead mine can continue for another 10 years.

The lease will also allow for a major underground extension of the mine to the south-west.