Residents meeting on Tara Tailings Pond

Residents living close to the Tara Mines Tailings Pond are holding a public information meeting next week.

The Save the Environment of Navan Townlands Group is hosting the meeting to discuss the tailings facility just outside Navan.

" We are hoping that people will join us to discuss and learn about the tailings facility on their doorstep, the proposed new tailings facility and its potential impacts on our community and environment," said a spokesperson.

Among the speakers will be Dr Steven H Emerman who holds a MA in Geophysics from Princeton University, a PHD in Geophysics from Cornell University and has over 35 years experience in teaching hydrology and geophysics.

He is Fullbright Professor in Ecuador and Nepal and has authored 70 peer reviewed publications. As the owner of Malach consulting he advises government, non governmental organisations and mining companies worldwide on the environmental impact of mining projects.

The meeting will take place in Halla Bhaile Ghib, next Tuesday night, 15th September at 7.30pm to discuss the tailings facility.

Plans by Boliden Tara Mines to extend tunnelling to facilitate exploration of the Tara Deep ore deposit has sparked concern among residents in proximity to the tailings pond, regarding a possible extension to the waste facility.

The mining company has recently been granted planning permission by Meath County Council to extend the underground exploration tunnel by three kilometres at a depth of approximately 1km within the townlands of Hanlonstown, Gainstown and Curraghtown,

While its commercial viability has yet to be proven, there are hopes that new orebody has the potential to extend the life of the mine for decades to come.

The company has stated there is enough capacity for the current mine, but if Tara Deep happens they will need a new tailings pond.