Tara Mines workers in Meath call for meeting with management on long-term future

Irish Independent

a day ago

The Tara Mines Group of Unions, including representatives from SIPTU, has formally requested a meeting with management to discuss delays in implementing a key component of the 2024 Sustainability Agreement, which was brokered by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The agreement was pivotal in ending an 18-month layoff period for workers and restarting operations at Ireland's largest zinc mine.
Tara Mines, operated by Swedish firm Boliden, is Europe's largest zinc mine and a major economic engine for Meath.
SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Regan, said: 'As part of the Sustainability Agreement reached under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in April 2024, which began the process of ending what would be 18 months of layoff for workers, it was agreed that 'further underground exploration drilling' would begin before 2027.'
'This refers to the Tara Deep, a project to develop a new ore body which has the potential to provide a further 40 years of mining in County Meath. Our members are not only focused on their employment but also the long-term viability of the mine, that is why this commitment by management was crucial to the 2024 WRC deal. In order to action this, Union representatives tabled a compromise proposal, to commence underground exploration drilling with immediate effect, at a Sustainability Agreement review meeting on May 12, 2025.'
Mr Regan added that If management does not agree to commence work in line with the agreement, the unions will refer it back to the WRC.
Andrew McGuinness, SIPTU Organiser, backed those concerns, pointing out that the company had already invested four years into developing Tara Deep before operations were halted in July 2023.
He said: 'The company had invested in the development of Tara Deep for four years prior to the mine going into care and maintenance, with the lay-off of its workforce, in July 2023. At the time of commencement of this development plan, the timeframe was for Tara Deep to come into production in 2029. This timeframe is now ever increasing with Tara Deep development mining having not recommenced following the resumption of other activities at the Mine last year.'
'A failure to commence this development will leave the northeast region without one of its biggest employers in the near future. This will remove a key economic lifeline for the surrounding communities,' Mr McGuinness added.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.