Over time, the town was abandoned and nature reclaimed the land. But, is the old Mountain Maid Mine as empty as it seems? According to Newcastle Ghost Tours, people have reported hearing voices, footsteps and the sound of rocks and metallic objects banging deep inside the mine. The team have even had conversations with the spirits of miners who. Derelict Mines Program NSW. « on: March 29, 2016, 08:29:17 AM ». Slowly old mine sites are being filled in and rehabilitated. This usually means the loss of dumps for fossicking. Some areas about to be worked on include Tingha and Emmaville including Y Waters. The following site link has the information on work to be done.