More than 150 employees at Tasmania's Mt Lyell copper mine are on half pay as investigations continue into the deaths of three workers.
Copper Mines of Tasmania (CMT) says 155 of the mine's 320-strong workforce are part of the arrangement, with operations at the mine suspended.
A contractor died in a mud rush last month, just weeks after two maintenance workers fell to their deaths in the mine's shaft.
"We have to prepare for the possibility of a prolonged shut down," CMT general manager Scot Clyde said in a statement.
"We have taken the view that it is important to ensure our employees have some level of financial support but we acknowledge that it will still mean hardship for many people."
Around 70 remain employed in maintenance roles, 40 have been redeployed around Australia and overseas while others have taken leave.
The arrangement, which has the support of the Australian Workers Union, will be reviewed in a month.
Investigations into the deaths by the coroner and Worksafe Tasmania continue.
"It will be some weeks before we get advice and have a clear view of the way forward," Mr Clyde said.
