Terry Floyd disappeared 36 years ago, aged 12.

His brother Darryl Floyd believes Terry’s body is in a disused mine shaft and he will start pumping water out of the hole today.

Mr Floyd received a $25,000 state government grant to restart excavation of the 20-metre-deep Morning Star mine at Bung Bong Hill, near Avoca.

“The blokes are coming back from a mine in far north Queensland during the weekend and will either turn up Monday or Tuesday,” Mr Floyd said

“We will get going after that.”

Terry played football for the Maryborough Rovers under-15s at Jubilee Oval on the day he went missing.

After the game he made his way to Avoca – about 25km from Maryborough – and visited a school acquaintance, Greg Jess.

Mr Floyd said he was unsure how long it would take to excavate the mine shaft.

He said it was with mixed emotions that he returned to the mine each time.

“It has been a long time. The last four to five months it has been hell because I just want to get it done.”