DRILLING for coal may be over in Goomburra, for now, but uncertainty remains about the future.

With the drilling rigs packed up and headed home, in their wake lays ripples of concern and questions about what's next for the small Southern Downs farming community.

Residents now face an uneasy wait in the coming months, with the results of the drilling likely to determine any future coal exploration in the region.

A spokesman for APEC coal said results would initially be reported to the ASX.

The exploration lease lying over the Goomburra Valley expires next year, and what happens beyond that is even more uncertainty.

There are several situations that could occur.

The lease could be renewed for further exploration by APEC, abandoned, or sold to another company.

An APEC coal spokesman said the renewal could be made three to six months before the lease ends.

"Any exploration lease in Australia can be relinquished, sold or joint ventured at any time and that call is firmly in the hands of APEC management," he said.

Sarah Moles has been at the forefront of action against the exploration.

She said regardless of what happens, the community faces 12 months of uncertainty.

"If APEC look to sell their mining lease this would start all over again," she said.

"If it were to be sold and the new owner of that lease would take the next step, we'd be facing full blown environmental impact studies and lobbying."

The best outcome would be if the lease was relinquished, according to Ms Moles.

"If the lease was relinquished because the results weren't favourable given the current price of coal, that would be a really good outcome for Goomburra, our land and our sanity," she said.

"Until such time as it goes away, until such time strategic cropping land places that food bowls are permanently protected the uncertainty never goes away."

The Southern Downs Protection Group member is comparing the plight of Goomburra residents to that of Felton landowners.

"They're absolutely similar, beautiful highly productive areas with some of the world's best soil and excellent water supplies," she said.

"They both stand out as really sharp and pointy examples of everything that's wrong with the way the mining industry is revered by the Australian Government."

Like the Goomburra Valley, the fertile Felton area has also made headlines with locals facing another renewed exploration push from a mining company.

"This is the fourth, possibly the fifth time that Felton will have to go into bat," Ms Moles said.

In Goomburra residents are again arming themselves for a future fight.

A newly formed group named themselves the Guardians of Goomburra after a recent community meeting.

Ms Moles said the formation of the Guardians of Goomburra was the best way forward for the community.

"They're aware they can't afford to be complacent," she said.

"They're keeping in touch, getting information, informing themselves.

"It's the best possible thing that could have happened."

Drilling was completed at six sites in the Goomburra, Berat and Mt Marshall areas, with APEC delivering on its promise to provide water bores to property owners.

"Three water bores were commissioned and all landowners were happy with the outcome," a spokesman said.

The company also commended protesters for their "lawful and respectful protest".