Just 21.3 km (13.2 mi) east of Buffalo River Junction is the site of Pine Point, a town that served the lead-zinc mine in the vicinity. The town was one of the largest in the N.W.T., such that residents had very little reason to drive to Hay River, so complete were the services and products available. The mine closed in 1987, and in 1988 the town was closed, dismantled and abandoned. Only a network of urban streets remains.