News that Tara Deep exploration could extend lifespan of mine by 40 years welcomed

A POSSIBLE further 40 years of mining in Navan has been welcomed by unions and public representatives as Boliden Tara Mines plan to extend an underground exploration tunnel to Tara Deep.

There has been broad welcome for the recent planning application by the company for the extension to the tunnel, which is crucial to the future of the mine as the new ore body has to potential to extend the life of the mine by several decades.

The application is to extend an underground exploration tunnel within the townlands of Hanlonstown, Gainstown and Curraghtown in Navan by approximately three kilometres through hard rock, from a depth of approximately 1,020 to 1,200 metres below ground level.

Management at Tara have indicated that they cannot comment on a live planning application.

SIPTU chairman at Tara Mines, Gerry Devins said the planning application was very positive news but he was disappointed that it had not happened sooner. "The planning process can be long and drawn out and time has been lost.

"I am also disappointed that the air-raise work which had begun for Tara Deep before the care and maintenance closure has not been resumed," he said. The air raise would allow for fresh air in the tunnel.

"The planning application is very positive, because Tara Deep is the future of the mine and it is needed to secure direct employment for decades to come."

Andrew McGuinness, SIPTU organiser, welcomed the application as it demonstrated the intent of the company for the future of the mine.

"Tara Deep is essential for the future of the mine and we will be supporting the application," he said.

Cllr Eddie Fennessy said: “Navan’s growth as a town over the past 50 years can be directly attributed to the opening of Tara Mines. Workers came from all over for employment and many local businesses thrived or were set up to trade directly with the mine. It is an integral part of the local economy not just in Navan but right across the region.

“Deposits at Tara Deep are of a much better quality than what’s being mined now so any move towards extraction will secure jobs and local commerce for several decades to come. This is good news for the Boliden workers and local businesses who depend on the mine for trade.

“Sinn Féin fully support this application, and we look forward to the benefits it will bring to the county for many years to come.”

John Regan, chairperson of Meath Council of Trade Unions, welcomed the planning application.

"The Tara Deep project was first launched in 2017 when it was established that the current life of mine plan, would need an extension. This ore body has the real potential to extend the life of mine and employment at the mine for up to 40 additional years.

"When the mine returned from care and maintenance disappointingly the company decided to leave Tara Deep in a state of continuation with the care and maintenance hence there was some uncertainty for its future."

"We see this application as a serious long term commitment by New Boliden (parent company) to Tara Mines and all that work at the mine and the local community. We see it as a great start to 2026 for the Meath mine," said Mr Regan.

Moira Leydon, secretary of the Meath Trades Council, said they now calling on the planning department of Meath County Council to speedily expedite this application made by Tara management.

The purpose of this extension is to facilitate exploration drilling and resource definition for the Tara Deep deposit. The proposed development will be carried out in three phases. Phase one will extend the existing exploration tunnel by approximately 450m; phase two will involve construction of a tunnel to the east, perpendicular to existing tunnel with a spiral decline of approximately 1,900m; and phase three will involve construction of a parallel tunnel to the west of circa 600m.