Employees on protective notice at Kilkenny zinc mine

Mining and exploration company Arcon has put 200 workers at its zinc mine in Co Kilkenny on protective notice following disagreements in pay talks between management and unions.

The ISEQ-listed company said the decision had been triggered by the unions' bringing up an overtime ban after talks on next year's wage levels broke down.

External factors like the low price of zinc and the weakness in the value of the dollar have led to substantial losses.

The company claims that if the overtime ban is not lifted it could lead to the mine ceasing production.