EMBATTLED miner Mirabela Nickel could consider putting its Brazilian operation on care and maintenance as it struggles to keep its doors open after a severe hit to its share price following a cancelled sales contract. The company halted trading in its shares on Monday, the second time in just over a week, pending an update. It requested the halt remain until Australian markets opened today. It will be forced to suspend trading if the announcement is not released. The nickel miner has seen about 80 per cent wiped off the share price in the past month and it dipped to a low of 0.8c last Thursday. The share price was at 1.6c when it halted trading. Chief financial officer Chris Els is understood to be in Brazil discussing options for the company, which could include putting its Santa Rita mine on care and maintenance to conserve its cash flow in the short-term. Mirabela spokeswoman Shani Kaufmann refused to comment yesterday. The junior warned the cancelled contract could constitute an event of default under its $US50 million ($53m) debt facility with Brazil's Branco Bradesco. "If an event of default is triggered under the Bradesco facility, and Bradesco chooses to enforce its rights by accelerating repayment, a cross default under the notes may also be triggered," the company flagged to the market last week. Rating agencies Standard & Poor's and Moody's downgraded the company last week.