Tara Mines, which has been operating for almost 46 years, has become an integral part of the local community. As a child, I would see the orange train pass by my house as I headed to school. The mine has provided secure and well-paying jobs for generations, despite the long hours spent underground to reach the mine.
However, the stability of the mine is now under threat due to fluctuations in energy prices and the low market price of zinc. Tara Mines, owned by Swedish company Boliden, has announced a temporary closure.
This decision raises questions about the board’s composition and decision-making process. The extraction of lead and zinc, owned by the Irish State, is carried out by Irish workers who now face the consequences of this business decision.
Mary Lou McDonald has criticized the Government for its response to the temporary shutdown of Tara Mines, suggesting that they had prior knowledge.
The news of the closure has left the 650 employees in uncertainty, facing increased living costs and mortgage interest hikes. For those who were about to secure mortgages or send their children to college, this unexpected closure brings personal crises.
What’s more, the company’s lack of communication is evident as many employees learned about the layoffs from sources other than the company itself, such as the evening news or social media platforms like WhatsApp and TikTok. Unions were also left uninformed.
The impact of the closure extends beyond the employees and their families. The local economy heavily relies on Tara Mines, with numerous businesses and organizations depending on their spending power. The loss of jobs will have a ripple effect on car dealerships, home decorators, coffee shops, and even schools, charities, and community groups that receive donations from the mine.
Workers, both underground and above, speculate that the closure may not solely be a cost-saving measure. They believe it is a strategic move to pressure the Government and Meath County Council into assisting with license renewal, planning applications, and energy contracts.
The lack of trust in Tara Mines extends beyond the employees. Nearby villages, such as Robinstown, still rely on water tankers provided by the mine after their wells dried up. Concerns about the environmental impact are also raised by residents in Kilberry and Sillogue, who oppose further extensions or new tailings ponds. Despite assurances, the company has been prospecting adjacent lands.
The conflict between economic interests and environmental concerns intensifies in the county. If the mine’s lifespan is to be extended, solutions for waste management must also be considered.
Tara Mines, although the largest lead and zinc mine in Europe, is not an infinite resource. Eventually, there will be no more ore to extract, and the miners will have to face retirement, relocation, or retraining. The balance between economic security and environmental sustainability is a longstanding issue, as seen in the closure of coal pits in the UK that left mining towns in poverty. The closure of Tara Mines would have devastating economic consequences, but it has already inflicted environmental damage to the farmland in Kilberry.
Navan is a tight-knit community where everyone knows each other. The impact reaches beyond the miners, as their lives intertwine with those living near the tailings pond. It is crucial for the community to unite rather than let a foreign multinational divide them, and for politicians to find a solution that benefits both the economy and the environment.
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