'We do not want an extension to the tailings pond'

Residents of the Kilberry and Sillogue areas sent out a strong message to Tara Mines this week - "We do not want an extension to the tailings pond."

At a meeting last Thursday night, residents were unanimous that they wanted any new tailings facility located elsewhere and they are opposed to any extension of the current tailings pond.

The meeting was called amid claims locally that the company has been buying land adjacent to the facility. Worried residents have called on the company to clarify what its plans are and a meeting is expected to take place next week between representatives of the company and the residents, Larry Henry, who chaired the meeting said residents spoke passionately about their opposition to any extension. "People are afraid of the dust that is blowing off the existing pond.

"People were annoyed that Tara haven't clarified what they are planning when buying up land in this area."

He said a committee had been elected and would be ratified at a further meeting following a meeting with representatives of the mine.

Mr Henry pointed out a commitment had been given several years ago that the last major extension to the facility would be the last.

Cllr Michael Gallagher said it was very unfair that the local community was taking the brunt of the waste from the mines.

"The company is not informing the residents of their plans which is very unfair. Members of the community spoke very emotionally about their concerns," he said.

A spokesperson for the company said they do not engage or comment on speculation.

Meanwhile, SIPTU representatives have called for an urgent meeting with the Minister for the Environment, Eamon Ryan, to seek clarity on the renewal of a drilling licence necessary for the operation at Tara Mines.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Regan, said: “At a meeting with Tara Mines management last week, we were informed of the financial pressures it was experiencing in relation to its operation. In the opinion of our members, these include the failure of the Geoscience Regulation Office to issue a renewal drilling licence for an area of the mine’s operation, which has been outstanding since December 2022. Such a delay in renewing this licence has not been experienced in the more than 40 years that the mine has been operating.

“We have written to the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, under whose remit the Geoscience Regulation Office operates to request an urgent meeting to discuss this matter.

“At our meeting with Tara Mines management, we were informed that the Government had refused New Boliden, the company which operates the mine, access to an EU fund established to support companies in difficulties due to the cost of energy. The company was informed that it did not qualify due its involvement in resource extraction.”

“In light of these pressures the company has commissioned an independent study into the mine’s operations which is expected to be completed later this year.”

SIPTU Organiser, Andrew McGuinness, said: “SIPTU representatives have called union members employed at Tara Mines to a general meeting in the Newgrange Hotel in Navan on Monday, 15th May.

“At the meeting we will appraise our members of the seriousness of the pressures the mine is under and seek a mandate from them on a course of action to assist in safeguarding its future operations which still have the potential to provide several decades of employment.”

He added: “Our members will also be calling on local elected representatives to highlight the issues concerning licensing and access to financial assistance the mines have experienced in every forum possible.”