Workers at Tara Mines gain reprieve

Workers at Tara Mines in Co Meath have been given a reprieve but it may be short lived. There had been fears for the future of 500 jobs at the complex, which is the largest zinc mine in Europe.

Late last year a combination of mounting costs and falling prices saw production halted at the mine and almost 600 workers laid off.

In recent months most workers have been taken on again in expectation of a resumption of production in September.

But with Zinc prices still low and world stocks of the metal high, unions have now been told plans to take back a further 100 workers next Monday have been put on hold.

This is pending a decision on the resumption of production. The company says that decision will now be taken at the end of the month.