The Lisheen lead and zinc mine in Co Tipperary is commencing ore exports and trade unions at the plant have signed a pre-production agreement with the company, which is owned by the exploration firm Ivernia and Anglo American, the international mining and natural resource group.

About 150 permanent workers have been recruited and the mine, which is in its start-up production phase, will employ 300 by the middle of 2000. At full production the mine will process 1.5 million tonnes of ore each year, producing 300,000 tonnes of zinc and 40,000 tonnes of lead concentrate. A spokesman said contracts had been signed with smelting firms in Europe and in the US. Annual expenditure on wages, goods and services will amount to some £35 million.