August ‘Gus’ Lamont, 4, has not been seen since vanishing from his family’s farm at the end of September.

South Australian Police have ended a renewed search for four-year-old Gus Lamont almost three weeks after he vanished from his family’s remote homestead on September 27.

Despite deploying cutting-edge technology and a huge search team, no new traces of the boy has been found.

The latest operation saw SA Police, ADF personnel, SES volunteers, trackers and local landowners comb through a 95sqkm area on foot — a 5.5km radius from the Oak Park Station homestead.

Gus was last seen playing on a dirt pile while his grandmother was reportedly inside with his younger brother, Ronnie.

Gus’s mother and other grandparent were out attending the sheep, with Gus’s father was off the property at the time of his disappearance.

The original search zone, bolstered by mounted units and aerial support from POLAIR, spanned an estimated 470sqkm.

Authorities say the rugged terrain, extreme weather, and the fact Gus is a small child have made the search especially difficult.

“This environment presents far fewer opportunities for locating a missing person than an urban setting,” a police spokesperson said.

The search, one of the largest of its kind ever undertaken by SA Police, has now shifted from a rescue to a recovery mission after experts told police, that it is unlikely Gus remains alive in the harsh outback conditions.

Only a singular boot print has been found during the search that involved hundreds of people.

“In the early days, we held hope of finding Gus alive,” police said.

“That hope has sadly faded, but our determination to bring closure to his family remains unwavering.”

Gus’s family continues to cooperate fully with investigators and is being supported by a dedicated victim contact officer.

Following Gus’ disappearance family friend Bill Harbison said the family was ‘devastated’ during the first week of the search, adding the family was still coming to terms with it.

“It has come as a shock to our family and friends and we’re struggling to comprehend what has happened,” he said.

“Gus’s absence is felt by all of us and we miss him more than words can express. Our hearts are aching and we are holding on to hope that he will be found safe and well.”

Police stressed that every effort has been made to ensure the search was thorough, with senior officers reviewing plans and execution throughout the operation.

Taskforce Horizon, established to lead the investigation, will now consider future search efforts as inquiries continue.

“We won’t give up,” police said.

“Our priority remains returning Gus to his loved ones.”

Police have said there is no evidence at this stage to suggest any foul play.

Gus has long, blond, curly hair and was last seen wearing a grey sun hat, a blue T-shirt with a yellow Minion on the front, light-grey long pants and boots.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact police.

Gus was last seen wearing a minions shirt Credit: SAPOL

Cre: https://7news.com.au/news/heartbreaking-development-as-authorities-end-renewed-search-for-missing-outback-boy-gus-lamont-c-20380961