Tara Mines determined to "reopen as soon as possible"

Tara Mines management has indicated its determination to reopen the mine as soon as possible.

Management intends to share a rescue plan with the Group of Unions in the coming week and will continue to engage with the unions at the Workplace Relations Commission starting next Tuesday the 9th January.

"With the support of the Boliden Group, we are determined to bring about a re-opening of the mine as soon as possible," said a spokesperson.

"Our intention remains that we will share a rescue plan with the Group of Unions in the coming week. The plan will be designed to address operational challenges at Tara Mines and enable a sustainable re-opening.

"After the plan is shared, we intend to enter talks with the Group of Unions to discuss the proposals and seek to reach an agreement with them.

"If we can reach an agreement 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. We will continue to work tirelessly to bring about a re-opening as early as possible," he concluded.

The Labour Court yesterday (Tuesday) published its decision referring the Tara closure back to the WRC

SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Regan, said: “We are disappointed but not surprised that the Labour Court has decided to refer all four outstanding issues back to the WRC conciliation services, following its hearing on 18th December.

“The main issues on which agreement is still being sought are the date for recommencement of operations at the mine and a claim for voluntary redundancy terms for workers who wish to take this option. Both issues are of urgent importance to our members. Workers in the mine have been laid off for 142 days with no clear date identified by the company for a return to work. This not only affects the 650 direct employees but also the approximately 2000 indirect workers who rely on the operation of Tara Mines for an income.”