Boliden Tara Mines host information evenings ahead of new tailings pond planning application
Boliden Tara Mines will hold two consultation evenings for the local community this week, ahead of a planning application for a new tailings facility which the company says it will lodge before the end of the year.
The information evenings will take place in Halla Bhaile Ghib (Gibbstown Community Centre) tomorrow (Tuesday 13th October) and on Thursday from 6 to 8pm.
Boliden indicated the planning application forms part of Tara’s preparation for bringing the Tara Deep prospect into production.
"Based on the current life of the existing mine, operations are expected to continue into the early 2030s. The Tara Deep prospect has the potential to extend the life of Tara Mines, bringing strong employment and economic benefits to new generations of the community, as the existing operation has done for the past 50 years," according to a statement released by the company.
"While no decision has yet been taken to proceed with Tara Deep, it is important to plan for its potential development and ensure that any future production is delivered in a safe, responsible and sustainable way.
"This includes preparing for the development of a new tailings facility, which will be operated and managed to the highest standards. This is in line with Boliden’s commitment to the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM), which is applied across all of its operations, including the existing tailings facility. The proposed new facility would be developed on lands adjacent to the existing facility.
"We know that this proposal will be of particular interest to residents in these areas, as well as to the community more broadly. We look forward to engaging with the community, hearing their views, and answering their questions."
The company has started the delivery of newsletters in the areas near the proposed new facility in which it points out Boliden has already invested over €100 million in early exploration and development work on Tara Deep.
"Over many years of exploration we have identified a substantial mineral deposit. The current resource estimate is 27 million tonnes containing 10per cent zinc and lead combined.
"Known as Tara Deep, this resource deposit represents an opportunity to continue mining after the existing ore deposits have been exhausted in the current mine.
"Further exploration, technical studies, environmental assessments and engineering evaluations are needed to determine whether it can be developed safely, responsibly and sustainably.
"These studies are also needed to confirm whether Tara Deep can become a commercially viable project and secure the significant investment needed to develop it."
The newsletter points out Tara Deep would require additional investment in infrastructure, including a new Tailings Storage Facility. "These projects require detailed environmental assessment, statutory planning processes and regulatory approvals. These activities take time and need to progress alongside the others to ensure all options can be properly evaluated while the current mine remains in operation.
"One of the next steps is the submission of a planning application for a new Tailings Storage Facility. As part of this, it is important that people are aware how the facility is managed, inspected, and regulated. Tara Mines is part of the Boliden Group, which operates mines in a number of countries and is fully committed to meeting the very best standards for the
management of tailings facilities.
"Tara Mines will prepare a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment Report and engineering studies to examine and assess all issues associated with the proposed
development. These studies will be part of the planning application and will be subject to detailed review by the appropriate competent authorities as part of the planning process."