Tara Mines has now officially shut down production of Ore/Zinc at it's mine in Navan County Meath, the biggest Zinc mine in Europe, temporarily laying 650 workers in the process on the 5th July 2023
It comes after the company cited rising energy bills and a drop in the price of Zinc as two of the main reasons for it's decision, thus ending 46 years of operatons since 1977. A small number of employees will still be present at the mine for care and maintenance of the facility while decisions are made over the future of the mine.
If the mine is doesn't reopen then the Drogheda - Navan Branch will be very much in question as to it's future, it's is likely that Irish Rail will still operate the weed sprayer over the line for upkeep reasons but it is likely that it will close down if the Tara Mines trains do not resume operations as it was the only thing guaranteeing the lines survival.
Unfortunately it doesn't seem likely that there will ever be a resumption of passenger service on the line despite huge demand in Drogheda and Navan for such a service, the last passenger train on the line was back in 1958. There is a huge unwillingness by Irish Government and Irish Rail to ever re-establish passenger service on the Navan Branch.
The future of the Tara Mines wagons themselves is not looking good, it's very likely they will sit in storage for years before eventually being scrapped.
A very sad end to 46 years the Tara Mines trains, I really hope something is done to re-establish operations.
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16 окт 2024
