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Opal - FAQs

 

How do I obtain a Precious Stones Prospecting Permit, and how much will it cost?

You must apply personally at any office of the Mining Registrar, either in Andamooka, Coober Pedy or Marla.

The application fee is $56.00 as of the 1st of July, 2008 and is current for one year. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and be an Australian Resident or hold a current Working Visa.

Individuals will be required to provide some form of identification for signature (e.g. a drivers licence and/or current Passport).

Note: 
Visitors from overseas who wish to apply for a Precious Stones Prospecting Permit must have an unlimited working visa. The immigration online verification service will be used to confirm the status of all international passports prior to a permit being issued.
I want to mine for opal. What do I have to do?

The first step is to be the holder of a current Precious Stones Prospecting Permit.

Please refer to the following information sheets for the basic requirements to prospect and mine for opal.

Earth Resources Information Sheet M7 (2002): Prospecting and mining for opal within proclaimed precious stones fields (.pdf 480kb)

Earth Resources Information Sheet M8 (2004): Prospecting and mining for opal outside proclaimed precious stones fields (.pdf 320kb)


I want to mine at Lambina. What do I have to do?

To mine at Lambina you must be the holder of a current Precious Stones Prospecting Permit.

You must be a current member of the South Australian Opal Miners Association Inc (SAOMAI). To become a member please contact Barry Linder on telephone (08) 8398 3087.

You must serve Notice of Entry on the Pastoralist. The Notice of Entry must be validated by an authorised officer situated at any office of the Mining Registrar in Andamooka, Coober Pedy or Marla. From the date of service, you must wait at least 21 clear days before you can enter the property to peg your claim.

Through SAOMAI you must sign a Deed of Consent and pay an annual fee of $200.00. The Deed of Consent binds the miner to the Lambina Native Title Mining Agreement which has been negotiated between SAOMAI and the traditional owners, the Antakarinja and Yunkunyatjara people. If you do not sign a Deed of Consent, any claim you peg at Lambina will not be registered and thus will not enable you to mine.

After pegging your precious stones claim at Lambina, you may apply at either the Coober Pedy or Marla office to register the claim. Please note that you cannot commence mining operations on the claim until you have received written notification from the Opal Mining Registrar at Coober Pedy.


Where can I buy posts?

You can obtain posts from the general stores at Coober Pedy, Andamooka and Mintabie. Posts may also be purchased from the PIRSA Regional Office at Coober Pedy, or the District Offices at Andamooka and Marla. The specifications for the posts are as follows:

  • The post must have a cross-sectional dimension equal to or exceeding 7 centimetres; and

  • Project at least 75 centimetres above the ground; and

  • The post must be devoid of marks or writing that refers to a previous pegging; and

  • In the case of a post for an opal development lease – be completely white.

Where can I apply for an explosives permit?

Contact Information

Dale, John
Group Program Leader: phone 08 8678 9059

Lane, Merilyn

Acting Opal Mining Registrar: phone 08 8678 9057