Tasmania’s Beaconsfield goldmine to reopen ‘as soon as possible’

One of the miners trapped in the Beaconsfield Gold Mine for two weeks in 2006 has backed its reopening.

Tasmanian miners Todd Russell, left, Brant Webb, second left, wave as they emerge from the mine lift after their rescue in 2006. Picture: Getty

Tasmania’s Beaconsfield Gold Mine, scene of the 2006 mine rescue, will reopen “as soon as possible”, says its new owners, in a move backed by one of the trapped miners, Brant Webb.

The mine, where miners Todd Russell and Mr Webb were trapped for two weeks by a rock collapse that killed workmate Larry Knight, has been closed since 2012.

The Beaconsfield Gold Mine. Picture: Tony Palmer

However, NQ Minerals, which owns Tasmania’s ­Hellyer Gold Mine, said rising gold prices and sizeable ­unmined areas at Beaconsfield made it a promising proposition. “NQ will be working with its consultants and relevant government departments in Tasmania to assess and ascertain what is required to reopen Beaconsfield as soon as possible,” said company chairman David Lenigas.

The company had signed a deal to purchase the mine, in the Tamar Valley, for $2m.

Mr Webb backed the reopening, but called on government to ensure Tasmanians, rather than fly-in, fly-out miners, were employed. “All the jobs that we can get down this end of the world the better,” he said.