The invention relates to an arrangement for the maintenance of a sliding closure (20) mounted on the spout of a container (10) for molten metal. Said arrangement comprises at least one tool magazine (65, 66), having at least one replacement part magazine (67) and means (30) for opening and closing th e sliding closure (20). As a novelty, a robot (60) comprising an automatic g rip changing system (61) and operationally connected to a control unit (75) is provided, the robot being able to automatically detect the exact position of the container (10) or of the sliding closure (20). Thereafter, itcan ac tuate the means (30) for opening and closing the sliding closure (20) and, d epending on the condition of the individual components to be replaced, it ca n grip tools or replacement parts fromthe magazines (65, 66, 67) surroundin g the robot and can perform cleaning operations, dismantle components and re place or reinstall the same. In this way, personnel can be saved and the occ upational safety is thus increased.