Tara Mines Reopens After 18-Month Closure: Relief for Workers and Community

After an 18-month hiatus that saw the majority of its workforce laid off, Tara Mines, Europe’s largest zinc mine, is returning to full operation this week. This welcome development has been celebrated by the unions representing the mine’s workers.

A Sense of Relief

“There is a sense of relief among workers and the communities throughout the north-east with the full reopening of the mine and the first blast to develop a mineral vein, taking place this week,” said SIPTU sector organiser, John Regan. “The last of the miners have just completed a five-day return to work induction training and familiarisation process.”

Closure and Reopening Agreement

Tara Mines temporarily shut down in mid-July 2023, resulting in the layoff of 650 workers. The owners, Boliden, attributed the closure to unsustainable losses, citing a decline in the price of zinc, inflation, and soaring energy costs. The company stated that the temporary closure was necessary to safeguard the mine’s future.

In April of this year, management and staff reached an agreement at the Workplace Relations Commission to reopen the facility. This agreement included around 160 voluntary redundancies. Approximately 50 workers retired or took early retirement during the temporary closure period, which was maintained as a ‘care and maintenance’ operation.

Calls for Government Intervention

Mr Regan emphasized the need to prevent future extended lay-off scenarios. “We must not have a repeat of an extended lay-off period for workers at the mine. The Government needs to build into all mining licences a requirement to keep them in operation,” He added, “It also needs to have the ability to step in with financial support if required to avoid a mine going into ‘care and maintenance’ in the future.”

Reopening Brings New Challenges

Currently, 405 workers are employed at the mine, many of whom have upskilled for different roles and responsibilities under the collective agreement that facilitated the plant’s reopening.
The recovery of the zinc and lead markets has aided in the reopening plan, according to SIPTU. “It is essential that the workers and company deliver a fully functioning operational mine for future generations of workers and businesses in the North East,” said Unite Regional Officer, Brian Hewitt. “We believe that our members have fully played their role in ensuring its operation into the future, the Government and the owners must show a similar level of commitment.”

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