Mount Nansen was a gold and silver mine, abandoned in 1999 by their former owners. Underground development occurred in the 1960's and 70's and the site was mined again between 1996 and 1999.
The mine shut down due to poor recoveries, tailings dam geotechinical stability issues and water license non-compliances. The Brown-McDade open pit generated 240 000 cubic meters of tailings and 360 000 cubic meters of PAG waste rock.