SA to maintain Leigh Creek services

The South Australian government will keep providing essential services to a remote mining town even after the coal mine it's built around shuts down.

The future of Leigh Creek, 555km north of Adelaide, has been in doubt since Alinta Energy announced it would shut its mine, which supports the town, as early as March next year.

But the government will continue providing services such as a school, hospital, police station, water and sewerage until at least July 2018.

Manufacturing Minister Kyam Maher says some Leigh Creek residents want to stay, while people from surrounding communities are considering moving into the town.

"The community - especially local businesses - have also told us they want clarity about the future, so the state government has committed to maintaining services until July 2018 at a level commensurate with the town's population," he said on Monday.

SA's opposition said while the commitment to continue providing essential services was good news for Leigh Creek, the government still didn't have a long-term plan for the community.

"It's been more than 100 days since Alinta announced closure plans and all government has come up with is keeping [a] school and hospital open," the Liberal Party tweeted.

But SA's Australian Services Union branch said the government's decision provided security for workers and families.