A support package for Tara Mines workers has been extended until the new year, following a meeting between management and unions today.
Representatives from Boliden Tara Mines in Co Meath and three unions representing workers met this morning to review the care and maintenance arrangement at the mine.
A date for recommencement of the operation was not given and the company says factors behind its decision to suspend the operation were "still evident".
Tara Mines closed temporarily in mid-July resulting in the laying off of 650 workers.
The company said it took this decision due to unsustainable losses and cited factors including a decline in the price of zinc, inflation and energy costs.
It said that the temporary closure would safeguard the future of the mine.
A majority of workers voted to accept a deal brokered at the Workplace Relations Commission around their terms and conditions during the lay off period.
This included a €65 per week retainer payment.
Today, Boliden Tara Mines general manager Gunnar Nyström said that today's meeting followed four other "constructive meetings" with unions since the operation was suspended in July.
He said the company agreed to extend the current support package for employees until the new year.
"Unfortunately, the factors that influenced the decision to temporarily place the mine into care and maintenance are still evident. As such, it is not possible to be definitive about the timeline for reopening," he said.
SIPTU representative John Regan described today's review meeting as "quite positive".
He said the WRC agreements were extended to the end of January and all the supports will be maintained until that time.
Mr Regan said that unions pressed the company the need for a recommencement date, as well as a voluntary redundancy package for workers.
He said that there will be further engagement with management on operational issues at the mine, and that terms of reference for those discussions will be drawn up.
Mr Regan said that it was regrettable that workers are still laid off but that those supports remain in place.
Boliden Tara Mines thanked the group of unions for their continued engagement and said it would continue to work closely with all stakeholders and the group of unions to "explore potential options to reopen the mine".
