VARADKAR: WE'LL HELP TARA'S 650

Mine closure blamed on zinc costs

- LOUISE BURNE

TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar yesterday vowed the "Government is here to help" the 650 workers temporarily laid off from Tara Mines.

He told the Dail the Swedish-owned company "appears to have done the maths" and the falling cost of zinc has led to the closure of the Meath facility.

A new licence was issued to extend exploration last month.

Prospecting licences are typically valid for six years.

Workers were told on Tuesday evening that they were being temporarily laid off.

The company has not, however, confirmed how long the layoffs will be.