By Eva Blandis, ABC
Police announced that another search would be starting and they would be exploring mine shafts they weren't previously aware of. Photo: Supplied: SAPOL
SA police says it will recommence its search for four-year-old Gus, who went missing in the state's Mid North almost two months ago.
The search is expected to last three days and will explore six "uncovered and unfenced shafts" located between 5.5 kilometres and 12km from the homestead where Gus was last seen.
SA Police said it was not previously aware of the location of these sites.
SA Police Deputy Commissioner Linda Williams said the area, which was not previously searched by police on foot, will be explored by STAR Group officers and Taskforce Horizon officers - a group formed to find Gus.
"We are determined to explore every avenue in an effort to locate Gus Lamont and provide some closure for his family,'' she said.
"These searches will either locate evidence or eliminate these locations from further investigation by the Task Force.''
Officers will use specialised equipment to search the mine shafts, in an effort to ensure "all locations of possible interest in a wide radius of the homestead are scrutinised" in the search for Gus.
This search will be the third time police have returned to the property following the initial 10-day search which began when Gus went missing on 27 September.
Police returned on October 17, following the conclusion of the initial search, and spent another four days, but did not uncover any signs of Gus.
They returned again and on October 31 drained a large dam which did not locate him.
Police previously said Gus had been playing outside in the sand, but had disappeared when his grandmother went out to find him.
Vast search area
Police have carried out extensive ground and air searches of the area surrounding the homestead, which is located about 40km south of Yunta, in the state's mid-north.
About 3,000 sheep graze on the "very isolated" property, which spans about 6,000 hectares and is a complex mix of undulating terrain.
Police said the ground search area was now 5.5km from the homestead and equates to 95 square kilometres.
The initial search area was estimated at 470 square kilometres and involved PolAir and the mounted operations unit.
SA Police said its investigations had not uncovered any signs of foul play, and the family of Gus had continued to fully cooperate with authorities.
The family is being supported by a victim contact officer.
In the days after Gus vanished, his family released a statement which family friend Bill Harbison read aloud on their behalf.
"Gus's absence is felt in all of us, and we miss him more than words can express," he said.
- ABC
