Care and maintenance is a term used in the

mining industry Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the Earth, usually from an ore body, lode, vein, seam, reef, or placer deposit. The exploitation of these deposits for raw material is based on the economic via ...

to describe processes and conditions on a closed minesite where there is potential to recommence operations at a later date. During a care and maintenance phase, production is stopped but the site is managed to ensure it remains in a safe and stable condition.

Causes

The mine might be considered to be temporarily unviable, due to current economic conditions or unfavourable resource prices, which are expected to improve at a later date. Declining ore grades at some mines can also be a reason for care and maintenance announcements. In some cases controlling interest companies decide not to further funding for subsidiary operations.

During closure

While the mine is closed, a care and maintenance program will manage environmental risks associated with tailings dumps, hazardous materials and open and underground pits. Care of idle plant and machinery will also be included in the program. Public health and safety considerations and emergency response plans continue during the care and maintenance phase. Some countries have legislative frameworks to ensure care and maintenance programs are in place before granting mine "closure certificates".Care and Maintenance
Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum A later decision to permanently close the mine may result in

mine reclamation Mine reclamation is the process of modifying land that has been mined to ecologically functional or economically usable state. Although the process of mine reclamation occurs once mining is completed, the planning of mine reclamation activiti ...

References

{{reflist, 2 Mining and the environment Environmental impact of mining

Causes

During closure

See also

References