After nine months of being in care and maintenance, Tara Mines is slated for a gradual reopening. This decision comes as a result of successful negotiations between union representatives and management at the Workplace Relations Commission, concluding early Tuesday morning.
The mine, which temporarily shut down in mid-July 2023 due to unsustainable losses driven by a drop in zinc prices, inflation, and high energy costs, led to the layoff of 650 workers. The owners, Boliden, expressed that the temporary closure was a strategic move to ensure the mine's future viability.
According to SIPTU divisional organiser for Transport and Energy, Adrian Kane, the agreement includes voluntary redundancies as part of the terms to resume operations. "We have secured a commitment for the reopening of the mine on a staged basis starting from June," stated Kane. He also confirmed that core employment terms and conditions have been preserved for the returning workers.
The full details of the agreement are expected to be presented to the workers at a general meeting scheduled for next week, where they will have the opportunity to review and discuss the outlined terms before resuming their roles at the mine. This reopening marks a significant step towards economic recovery and job restoration for the affected employees and the local community.
