Tara Mines to operate for another ten years
Agreement has been reached with Boliden Tara Mines Limited on State Mining Lease terms that will facilitate mining operations in Navan to continue for another decade with current staffing levels of 650 employees to be retained under new deal.
During a visit today to the lead and zince mine Minister of State for Natural Resources Fergus O’Dowd TD announced agreement on terms for leases.
The Navan mine is the largest of its kind in Europe and the Minister’s visit included an underground tour of mining operations where he was shown the location of the major underground extension.
“I would like to pay tribute to the importance of Boliden’s operations here in Navan and their impact on the local area where the mine employs 650 people. The Navan mine commenced production in 1977 and its continued operation will see the State receive royalties of up to 3.75% of revenue,” commented the minister.
“It is hoped that Boliden Tara Mines will be able to take full advantage of the new ten year leases. Exploration is continuing around the mine to identify further mineral resources that we hope will become mineable ore reserves. Boliden and other companies are also carrying out exploration elsewhere across the country,” he added.
Stefan Romedahl, the recently-appointed general manager of Boliden Tara Mines Limited, said: “Boliden is pleased that negotiations around the extension lease have been concluded. A stable platform has been established and we need to continue to reduce costs in order to make Tara profitable.”