Workers at Tara Mines returned to their jobs last night after management and union representatives agreed to arbitration in a row over pay and conditions at the Co Meath mine.
The mediators will be drawn from the European works council and the human resources department of New Boliden, a mining group in which Tara's owner, Outokumpu, has a 49 per cent stake.
The mediators are due to issue their recommendations to both parties by July 16th.
The agreement brings to an end a three-day strike sparked by a breakdown in talks over sick pay, pension benefits and annual leave.
The mine, which has 660 employees, produces 200,000 tonnes of zinc a year and around 40,000 tonnes of lead.
Tara Mines has a patchy history of industrial relations. In 2000, a strike over training, promotion and the use of overseas workers stopped production for a fortnight.
"The dispute has been resolved, based on an agreement between SIPTU and management to engage mediators to examine all outstanding industrial relations issues," according to SIPTU branch secretary Mr John Regan.
"The mediators will be drawn from the European works council of New Boliden and from the corporate human resource department of New Boliden. It has been further agreed that the mediators will issue a report with recommendations to both parties," Mr Regan added.
