Mines

Boliden Tara

Operations
Mines
Boliden Tara

Europe's largest zinc mine

Tara in Ireland is Europe's largest zinc mine and also one of the largest in a global comparison. Since mining began in 1977, more than 85 million tonnes of ore have been extracted. Boliden acquired the mine in 2004.

Thanks to exploration and acquisitions, the mineral reserve and mineral resources have grown continuously. In recent years, Tara has focused on improving its cost position through productivity enhancing investments and savings measures. Around 2 million tonnes of ore are mined annually for the production of zinc and lead concentrates.

In July, 2023, the mine was placed under care and maintenance and remained so at the end of the year.

Established: 1977
Acquired: 2004
Operating profit : SEK -571 m (2023)
Number of employees: 75 (2023 – average FTE figure affected by temporary furlough of employees as the mine was placed under care and maintenance from July onwards)
Type of mine: underground
Mine depth: 1,000 metres

once a mine is exhausted, reclamation work is carried out to restore the area to become a natural part of the landscape again? The restoration of a mining area is already determined at the mine planning stage.

In 2023, 1,093 ktonnes of ore were process into metal concentrates containing zinc, lead and silver.

Complete production figures can be found in the Annual Report

Our mines are among the safest in the world. Because automation allows us to make workplaces that are already safe even safer for our employees, our mines are becoming increasingly digitized.

At Boliden, we are currently conducting a unique initiative to develop automation in mines. It is taking place in a cross-functional programme with employees from the entire group together with partners such as Volvo, Ericsson, Atlas Copco, Sandvik and ABB.

The goal is to keep production running non-stop round-the-clock, but the greatest gain is improved safety.

Boliden Tara

Navan, Co. Meath, IRE-Knockumber

+ 353 (0) 46 9082000

[email protected]

Press

2022

2023

Tara History

Tara Exploration & Development Co. Ltd. began its search for mineral deposits in Ireland in 1962 and a major breakthrough was made in 1970 when a shallow soil geochemical survey near Navan Co.

Meath showed very high concentrations of both zinc and lead. An extensive drilling program indicated an orebody of almost 70 million tonnes at a grade of 10.1% zinc and 2.6% lead. Tara had discovered the biggest zinc/lead deposit in Europe. Development of the orebody began in 1973 and production started in June 1977.