DUBLIN, Ireland: Tara Mines, Europe's largest zinc mine located in Co Meath, is set to reopen next month following a worker vote in favor of a deal facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission.

After being closed for nearly a year, Boliden, the Swedish mining group that operates Tara Mines, announced plans to resume production in the third quarter of this year.

The decision to reopen Tara Mines comes after the mine was suspended last June due to a downturn in zinc prices, which hit a three-year low. The closure and disruptions at major mines in Australia led to a tightening of zinc concentrate supply.

Boliden confirmed that production at Tara Mines will gradually increase, with total capacity expected to be reached by January 2025. However, the reopening comes with changes, including staff cuts and alterations to work practices. In addition to the 50 employees who left since the mine's temporary closure last summer, approximately 160 jobs will be lost.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke welcomed the majority decision by Tara Mines workers to accept the deal, acknowledging the impact of the mine's closure on workers, families, and the wider community.

"I want to commend all parties for the efforts that they have made to ensure a positive outcome in difficult circumstances," Burke said. "Government will ensure that all available supports are put in place for workers that choose to take voluntary redundancy, including support for retraining and job search assistance."

Boliden announced a 30 million euro restructuring cost for the cuts and organizational changes, with an expected total hit to second-quarter results of 43 million euros. The move to reopen Tara Mines aligns with the recent increase in zinc prices, which have risen by 11 percent this year, boosting profitability and prompting the restart of mothballed European projects.

In addition to Tara Mines, other zinc operations are also seeing renewed activity, with Glencore ramping up its Nordenham smelter in Germany and Nyrstar planning to restart its Budel smelter in the Netherlands.