TRANSPORTATION of bulk ore from Tara Mines, Navan, to the Alexandra Road terminal at Dublin Port, ceased on July 5, with Nos. 073 and 083 each being active on empty workings and light engine movements on that day.
The flow had gradually diminished after the announcement by owner Boliden on June 13, that the mine was to cease operations temporarily (RE 327). During the period before the traffic ceased, the use of one train each day was sufficient to move the remaining material to the dockside transshipment terminal for export to the smelter(s) in Scandinavia and mainland Europe.
The Navan mine had experienced some temporary shutdowns over the years since 1977, when it started production, but mining eventually restarted. However, it was unclear as to when the operation would restart due to the low price of zinc worldwide, and energy costs. Around 200,000 tonnes of zinc concentrate, and 40,000 tonnes of lead concentrate were normally produced each year with the ore transported by rail to Dublin Port from the outset.
Other locomotives used on the traffic during the period under review included
