It comes after eight months of uncertainty, when Lihir Gold announced it would shed 200 staff, and later would sell the mine.

Yesterday as they gathered for a final drink among mates at the Grapes Hotel, some workers were in high spirits.

But away from the cameras, others appeared gloomy at the prospect of what awaited them - unemployment.

For Darren Hodgetts, he had had a "pretty good" run, after the job losses in July last year.

He got to spend an extra six months working as shift supervisor.

"They (Lihir) looked after us. I don't have a plan as of yet, but I'm relieved because it was a long time hanging over us, whichever way it went," he said.

"At least we can go and find another job."

Worker John Carson said it was good to get closure.

He had come to Ballarat Goldfields from the Northern Territory mines with his wife and four children.

Yesterday, he said he faced the possibly of going back there.

Standing at the pub with a beer, he was relieved.

"Maybe you'll wake up tomorrow and realise you've got nothing to go to," he said.

"I started working at 16 and I've never been unemployed or sacked . . . reckon I've got a chance of picking up a job somewhere."

Mr Carson said it had been a long 29 weeks since the last announcement of job losses.

But he said the worst part was leaving his workmates, who he had developed a strong camaraderie with, behind.

Meanwhile, for Raj Abrol, it was a disappointing day but it meant he could move on with his career.

He spent the past two years employed as the assistant accountant at Ballarat Goldfields.

But he said he would move on to a new job he had been offered, in the same position at the YMCA.