Four labels that look simple and carry very different meanings for researchers, suppliers and local communities.
“The AGSON Geoscience Portal is a data discovery and analysis portal for geoscience data.”
— Geoscience Australia
Operating
An operating label indicates that the source classified the site as active when its data was released. It does not guarantee continuous production or access.
Care and maintenance
Care and maintenance usually describes a paused operation retained in a managed state. Restart timing, workforce and procurement requirements can change quickly.
Development
Development collects projects moving through study, approval, construction or related pre-production stages. Inclusion is not a forecast that a mine will open.
Historical
Historical records document past workings and deposits. They matter for regional history and research, but may also carry safety, access and heritage sensitivities. Do not enter old workings.
Questions people ask
Is care and maintenance the same as closed?
No. It generally describes a managed pause, while closure and rehabilitation are distinct stages.
Is every development project approved?
No. Development can include several pre-production stages; consult the cited authority for approvals.
Are historical workings safe to visit?
Do not assume so. Old workings can be unstable or restricted; follow landholder and authority guidance.
How often is status refreshed?
The data-source page lists each source and the register’s retrieval date.