Management and unions at Tara Mines have reached agreement on key industrial relations issues ahead of a crucial meeting on the fate of the mine next week.
Extension of the company's existing industrial relations agreement to the end of next year is one of the criteria to be met if the company is to secure the €70 to €80 million of funding it needs to reopen the mine. "We were looking for extended industrial relations peace and an extension of the current agreement to the end of 2003 and that has been agreed," Tara's human resources manager, Mr John Kelly said.
Talks on extending the current agreement, due to expire in December concluded at dawn yesterday in agreement with all the unions involved. The 15-clause agreement covers issues such as health and safety, pay and conditions and pensions and health insurance. "I am pleased to say that criteria has been fulfilled after sustained talks," said Mr Christy McQuillan, Meath branch secretary with SIPTU, the principal union at the mine. "It augurs well for a positive outcome on March 15th."
Tara, Europe's largest zinc mine, closed last November forcing its 700 workers into temporary redundancy. The mine's owner, Finnish metals group Outokumpu is due to make a decision on whether or not to reopen it at a board meeting next Friday. It has said a number of criteria will be taken into account in coming to a decision, including the price of zinc and smelter treatment charges as well as agreement on the industrial relations issues.
Mr Kelly said last night things were falling nicely into place and looking positive. Zinc prices, though still quite low, moved in the right direction of late while recent developments on smelter treatment charges have also been favourable, he said.
Acquisition of the nearby Bula orebody was another pre-condition for reopening and things were "progressing well in that area as well", Mr Kelly said.
Meanwhile, independent auditor Proudfoot has completed a feasibility study on reopening the mine.
The board of Tara will meet on Wednesday ahead of the meeting of the main Outokumpu board on Friday.
