The owner of Tara Mines in Co Meath has said it hopes to reopen the mine in the second quarter of next year, if an agreement can be reached by the first week in February.
Tara Mines closed temporarily in mid-July resulting in the laying off of 650 workers.
The company, Boliden, said it took the 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.
In a statement, the company said: "We will continue to work tirelessly to bring about a re-opening as early as possible.
"We are grateful to the Government for the support they have provided to date and will continue to engage with them on items that could potentially assist with an accelerated reopening of the mine, including mining licences and energy supports."
The company said today that with the support of the Boliden Group and based on recent communications with the group of unions, it is determined to bring about a sustainable re-opening of the mine as soon as possible.
It added that they must address the operational challenges through a rescue plan, before the mine can re-open.
"It is our intention to present a rescue plan in early January 2024, after which we intend to enter talks with the group of unions to discuss the proposals that are presented and seek to reach an agreement with them."
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment welcomed today's announcement by Tara Mines.
"I am very conscious of the ongoing impact that the closure of the mine is having on workers and their families, and on the wider community in County Meath," Minister Simon Coveney said.
"The Government recognises the strategic importance of the mining sector and we are committed to providing all possible assistance to facilitate an early reopening at Tara.
"Tara Mines has been officially onboarded as an Enterprise Ireland client, and Enterprise Ireland are actively engaging with the company on supports that can assist with an accelerated and sustainable resumption of operations," he added.
Minister Coveney said there are a number of factors that will impact on a reopening date, and said the relevant Government departments and agencies will continue to support ongoing efforts to address these.
SIPTU gave a cautious welcome to the news but warned any further delays "would not be acceptable."
"The tentative date given by Tara Mines today is a positive development," John Regan, SIPTU Sector Organiser.
"However, it could mean June 2024 for the first worker to return through the gates."
"If it took seven months before a full reopening, as it did in 2001 the last time the mine was put into care and maintenance, that would mean January 2025 at the earliest for all employees to return to the mine. That timeline would not be acceptable."
