During its peak years, Lille had three operating mines producing 901,000 tonnes of bituminous coal. Most noteworthy are the ruins of Mine No. 1 which can be viewed about one kilometre from the townsite on the edge of Gold Creek. The remnants of the power house, despite their obvious wear and tear from age, erosion and vandalism, are still magnificent.

Despite Lille's early success, it would be short-lived. The isolation, unpredictable markets and increasing poor quality of coal soon proved too much to keep alive the alpine mine and town. By 1913, Lille and its mine was closed, and workers moved with their families to either nearby Blairmore or Bellevue. For many years until the 1940s, scores of homes and other structures were left at the site. During the 1970s, Lille's magnificent brick coke ovens were picked apart by treasure hunters.