The Beaconsfield gold mine in Tasmania's north, the scene of a dramatic rescue operation that captivated a global television audience, has been shut for years — but looks set to restart under new owners who say mining is a "safe occupation if it is done properly".
On Anzac Day 2006, rockfalls caused by seismic activity would trap three miners almost a kilometre underground.
Larry Knight was killed, while his co-workers Brant Webb and Todd Russell were rescued after 14 days, their re-emergence above ground creating a sensation, inspiring a television miniseries, a musical and even a song by US rockers Foo Fighters.
The mine would close in 2012, in part due to the gold price — with a history and heritage centre at the site still open and drawing tourists.
In February, the operation was sold to Australian-based company NQ Minerals for $2 million, with a resurgence in the gold price meaning mining is set to start again at the site.
NQ Minerals chair David Lenigas said while there were "no guarantees in life", he was "99 per cent" sure it would happen.
"We've certainly got a plan with our consultants to bring the mine back into production as soon as possible, with this gold price it is a compelling story," he said.
Mr Lenigas said the company believed an estimated 483,000 ounces of gold worth more than a billion dollars was for the taking — but much would need to happen before then.
"It will take a fair bit of work to bring the plant up to 2020 standards, and the estimated time schedule is somewhere between four and six months," he said.
Asked about safety at the site, Mr Lenigas said the mine operated very effectively from 2006, the year of the rescue, to 2012, but had closed because it became unviable due to the "gold price and operating costs".
"Mining is a safe occupation if it is done properly," he said.
He said a new tunnel would connect to the existing decline 430 metres underground, allowing larger, more modern equipment to be used.
Mr Lenigas said "if the gold price holds up" he envisaged "five to six years of mine life", with around 250 to 300 people employed during the mine's construction phase.
Beaconsfield newsagent Vicki Thomas said "anything that brings money and jobs into the area would be great".
"The mine has always been a very popular attraction … [new activity] would be a great boost to the town," she said.
She welcomed the prospect of jobs attracting people to the town.
"Some would move here, that would be terrific."
West Tamar Mayor Christina Holmdahl said when what she described as "the disaster" happened, there was "a view Beaconsfield would die".
"[The town] reinvented itself, the demographics have changed, Beaconsfield today is different to how it was at the time of the rockfall," she said.
"It is a resilient little town and it has thrived."
Mining beginning again was "really positive news", she said.
"When the news first came out, there was a buzz on the main street … there is an optimism it will give the town a boost".
Butcher Dean Hinds said a restart at the mine "would be very, very handy".
"It'd be nice if they employed at least half locals," he said.
With a population of just over 1,000, Beaconsfield has changed since 2006, something Dean Hinds can attest to.
"A lot more interstate people have moved here," he said.
Grant Schuhmann, the mine's site supervisor, said he had been "keeping an eye on the place".
He is keen for activity to begin.
"It'd be a good thing for the whole area, as well as myself," he said.
He said he "spent 12 years underground" before operations stopped in 2012.
Asked if he had any concerns over safety at the mine, Mr Schuhmann said he believed the new owners to have "good mining experience".
If gold mining begins again, he said he would sign on for sure, with many people also "keen to go back".
"That was my plan; I'm getting on in years, but that doesn't worry me at all."
