Massive €44 million investment in Tara Mines

A massive €44 investment by Boliden Tara Mines will see mining at the Navan facility continue until at least 2023, the Swedish company has announced.

Successful exploration at the Tara zinc mine has identified new mineral resources along with proposals to expand the mine’s tailings dam .

Tara, which is one of the larger zinc mines in the world, accounts for half of Boliden’s production of zinc concentrate. Successful exploration has resulted in the discovery of a new resouce, Tara Deep, and there are plans for the extension of the capacity of the tailings dam, which currently limits Tara’s lifespan.

However the proposed new tailings dam, which will have sufficient capacity for production at current levels until 2026, although granted planning permission by Meath County Council, is being appealed to An Bord Pleanala by local residents.

The investment includes €33 million, which is based on mining until 2023, but the new mineral resources offer additional potential. The construction of an exploration drift to the new deposit at a cost of €11 million has also been approved.

“Tara’s exploration work in the last few years has been successful, and the capacity of the tailings dam is now limiting the life-of-mine to 2020. New exploration successes, increased productivity, and high zinc prices make extending the mine’s lifespan a profitable option, so we have decided to expand the tailings dam with a capacity until 2026,” says Mikael Staffas, President Boliden Mines.

SIPTU has congratulated its members working in Tara Mines for their success in securing over €40 million in new investment in the mine, which will significantly extend its operation and safeguard the future of thousands of jobs.
 
SIPTU Organiser, John Regan, said: “That the Board of Boliden, the company which operates Tara Mines, has decided to invest in a programme to extend its life is great news for the mine workers, their families and the local economy.'

Local residents however have grave concerns about an extension to the tailings dam.

They have in the past expressed serious worries about traffic in the area and the possible adverse effects of the proposal on the local community.
They have also expressed their fears of a possible risk to the River Blackwater, the source of the water supply to the Navan area and
also expressed concern regarding the facilities proximity to the important heritage site at Teltown and the planned Navan to Kingscourt Greenway.