Tara Mines workers return to full operational after 18-month lay-off

Tara Mines returned to full operation this week bringing an 18-month lay-off for the majority of its employees, and uncertainty surrounding its future, to an end.

The Tara Mines Group of Unions has welcomed the development.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Regan, said: “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.

“The last of the miners have just completed a five-day return to work induction training and familiarisation process. This was essential due to nearly 200 workers exiting employment at the mine by taking up an agreed voluntary redundancy package, which has necessitated those remaining to develop new skills in order to ensure the facility’s safe operation.”

He added: “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. 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.”

SIPTU Organiser, Andrew McGuinness, said: “With the departure of so many of their colleagues, there are new challenges for the 405 workers remaining employed at the mine. They have had to upskill to different roles and responsibilities under a new collective agreement, that provides for the future of the mine with the eventual commencement of the Tara Deep project. Worryingly, this project is currently being shelved by the mine owners, we believe because of funding restraints.”

He added: “We look forward to working with management and developing the mine, which is assisted by the recovery of the zinc and lead markets. The reduction in labour costs and this change in mineral prices should see the mine returning to profit in the short-term.”

Unite Regional Officer, Brian Hewitt, said: “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. 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.”

Connect National Official, Thomas Faulkner, said: “After 48 years of production the parent company must stay committed to the mine. A Tara Deep development plan, commencing immediately, would be a physical demonstration of such a commitment.”

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SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Regan, said: “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.

“The last of the miners have just completed a five-day return to work induction training and familiarisation process. This was essential due to nearly 200 workers exiting employment at the mine by taking up an agreed voluntary redundancy package, which has necessitated those remaining to develop new skills in order to ensure the facility’s safe operation.”

He added: “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. 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.”

SIPTU Organiser, Andrew McGuinness, said: “With the departure of so many of their colleagues, there are new challenges for the 405 workers remaining employed at the mine. They have had to upskill to different roles and responsibilities under a new collective agreement, that provides for the future of the mine with the eventual commencement of the Tara Deep project. Worryingly, this project is currently being shelved by the mine owners, we believe because of funding restraints.”

He added: “We look forward to working with management and developing the mine, which is assisted by the recovery of the zinc and lead markets. The reduction in labour costs and this change in mineral prices should see the mine returning to profit in the short-term.”

Unite Regional Officer, Brian Hewitt, said: “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. 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.”

Connect National Official, Thomas Faulkner, said: “After 48 years of production the parent company must stay committed to the mine. A Tara Deep development plan, commencing immediately, would be a physical demonstration of such a commitment.”

Aontú leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín has welcomed the reopening of Tara Mines. He stated:

“This is great news for county Meath. The last 18 months has been hard on workers, their families and local businesses. Many families will have had their incomes reduced significantly during that period. Its important to remember that 200 plus jobs have been lost”.

“There are questions over the future of the mine. We still don’t know as to how much the parent company will invest in Tara Deep and at what timescale? Without significant upfront investment the existing mine may run out before Tara Deep is brought on line. This would put jobs at risk. The management must now lay out a plan to make sure that Tara Deep is opened up and running in a reasonable timeframe”.