Daryl Floyd has spent the past three years and almost $100,000 of his own money excavating the disused Morning Star mine for the remains of his brother Terry, who disappeared in 1975.

The excavation workers have already dug down 53 metres, but they now need to gain access to an underground tunnel where rubbish and debris has washed down from the shaft. 

To do this, Mr Floyd and a team of mine experts must dig down another shaft 40 metres north of the Morning Star. 

Work began several weeks ago and an excavator has already gone down eight metres. 

However, Mr Floyd said work could take another 12 or 18 months before access to the original shaft is gained, as the shaft’s remaining 41-metres must be dug out by hand.

“It’s like starting all over again,” Mr Floyd said. “This shaft will be harder and tougher and more expensive because we have to build timber walls to make it safe.”

Terry Floyd vanished 38 years ago from the intersection of the Sunraysia and Pyrenees highways on June 28, 1975. Detectives investigating the case at the time believed Terry was abducted and murdered.

After extensive investigation, it was believed Terry’s body was dumped down the disused gold mine at Avoca.

Since the search for Terry’s remains began in October 2010, more than $150,000 has been spent excavating the site.

Almost $100,000 of that has come out of Mr Floyd’s own pocket, while a further $50,000 was funded by Victoria Police, $25,000 from the state government and another $25,000 from fundraising.

In September this year, Victoria Police agreed to further compensate Mr Floyd for the search, but only if Terry’s remains are found.

Mr Floyd and the searchers are expected to take a break over Christmas and resume in February next year.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au.

kim.quinlan@fairfaxmedia.com.au