Tara Mines hoping to resume operation within six months

Employees of the Co Meath mines given opportunity to express their interest in availing of a voluntary severance package

Last June about 650 Tara Mines workers were told they would be temporarily laid off. Picture: Niall Carson/PA

Tara Mines has informed employees of plans to reopen in the second quarter of this year.

The company updated employees today, telling them that a rescue plan is being developed to address the operational challenges at the mine.

"These challenges must be addressed in order for the mine to re-open on a sustainable basis. Once we reopen, we want to be able to remain open," said Tara Mines general manager Gunnar Nyström.

'Once we reopen, we want to be able to remain open," said Tara Mines general manager Gunnar Nyström. File picture: Boliden.com

Negotiations with the Group of Unions will commence at the Workplace Relations Commission next Tuesday, January 9.

Tara Mines employees have been given the opportunity to express their interest in availing of a voluntary severance package.

The unions requested that a voluntary severance scheme be opened and once an agreement has been reached by both parties, the scheme will be formally opened.

A statement released this evening said that Tara Mines is aware of the difficulties faced by employees, their families, and the wider community since the closure.

According to layoff support measures that were accepted by Tara Mines workers in July 2023, workers are guaranteed to return on the same terms and conditions of employment as they had secured when the mine ceased operation.

"The position remains that if we can reach an agreement with the Group of Unions by the first week in February, our ambition is to re-open the mine in the second quarter in 2024, assuming that there is no significant deterioration in market conditions," Mr Nyström said.

We will continue to work tirelessly to bring about a re-opening as early as possible.

In June 2023, about 650 workers were told by management that they would be temporarily laid off from Tara Mines, which opened in 1977 and produces more than 2m tonnes of zinc per year.

Inflation, coupled with energy costs, which are understood to include a €3m-a-week electricity bill, were said to be among the reasons for the decision to temporarily shut the plant down.