ARCON Mines has begun recruiting up to 130 staff in preparation for full production at its zinc mine at Galmoy, Co Kilkenny. The company said yesterday that it had now taken on 76 employees to work at the mine. Most of these workers have been recruited for underground operations, work within the ore processing plant, maintenance and for its laboratories.

Arcon managing director, Mr Jim Tilson said it was making steady progress towards full production. Arcon has opened a new 20,000 sq foot administration building at the site and the road network surrounding the mine has been upgraded.