care and maintenance
{{Short description|Mining industry term}}
Care and maintenance is a term used in the mining industry to describe processes and conditions on a closed mine site at which there is the potential to recommence operations at a later date. During the 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,{{Citation | title=New Gold Places the Amapari Mine on Temporary Care and Maintenance | journal=The America's Intelligence Wire | publication-date=2009-01-02 | publisher=Financial Times Ltd | url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/102169081 | accessdate=30 October 2012 }} due to current economic conditions or unfavourable resource prices,{{Citation | title=Rayrock Yellowknife Resources Inc. to put Dee Mine on care and maintenance basis | journal=Business Wire | publication-date=1997-02-14 |page=2140086 | url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/98960805 | accessdate=30 October 2012 }}{{Citation | title=First Nickel Places Lockerby Mine on Care and Maintenance | journal=Canadian Corporate News | publication-date=2008-10-19 | publisher=COMTEX News Network, Inc | url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/148610384 | accessdate=30 October 2012 }} which are expected to improve at a later date.{{Citation | title=New Dawn's Turk Mine Moves from Care and Maintenance to Mine Development | journal=CNW Group | publication-date=2009-02-26 | publisher=COMTEX News Network, Inc | url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/121083435 | accessdate=30 October 2012 }}
Declining ore grades at some mines can also be a reason for care and maintenance announcements.[https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20100720070400/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/119181/20100720-1704/www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/iluka-to-shut-mine.html Iluka To Shut Mine]{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
In some cases controlling interest companies decide not to provide further funding for subsidiary operations.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48188513 |title=Charlotte Gold |newspaper=The West Australian |location=Perth |date=19 March 1951 |accessdate=30 October 2012 |page=13 |via=National Library of Australia}}
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.[http://www.nswmin.com.au/Policy-and-Advocacy/Planning-and-Mine-Closure/Mine-Closure/Mine-Closure/default.aspx Mine Closure] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321211818/http://www.nswmin.com.au/Policy-and-Advocacy/Planning-and-Mine-Closure/Mine-Closure/Mine-Closure/default.aspx |date=March 21, 2012 }} NSW Minerals Council 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".[http://www.saimm.co.za/Journal/v103n08p489.pdf The South African legislative framework or mine closure] The Journal of The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy[http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/documents/care_and_maintenance.docx.pdf Care and Maintenance] Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
A later decision to permanently close the mine may result in mine reclamation.