The Prime Minister, John Howard, has pledged financial help for the northern Tasmanian town of Beaconsfield, to help it survive while its mine is closed for investigation.
Mr Howard spoke to local mayor, Barry Easther Tuesday, after two trapped miners were finally saved.
The Prime Minister says the federal Government will stand by if help is needed.
"If there are dislocations to the community because of the closure of the mine, the federal government will stand ready to do what it should do to assist the community. I've already appointed a federal government representative to serve on a local committee that's being got together by the Mayor and who will work as we have in the past with the local community."
The head of the Tasmanian Minerals Council, Terry Long, has said it is unlikely the mine will ever reopen.