Opal - FAQs
| How do I obtain a Precious Stones Prospecting Permit? |
You must apply personally at any office of the Opal Mining Registrar, either in Andamooka, Coober Pedy or Marla.
The permit 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. |
| How much does a permit cost? What other fees will I have to pay? |
You will need to pay a fee for many applications required before you can undertake opal mining, including an application fee for a permit, for identification plates and for registration of claims as well as for renewals.
Complete list of Opal Mining Act Fees
| 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 M07: Prospecting and mining for opal within proclaimed precious stones fields (.pdf 478.1kb)
- Earth Resources Information Sheet M08: Prospecting and mining for opal outside proclaimed precious stones fields (.pdf 320.2kb)
| 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 Lindner, Phone +61 8 8391 3116.
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:
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The post must have a cross-sectional dimension equal to or exceeding 7 centimetres; and
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Project at least 75 centimetres above the ground; and
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The post must be devoid of marks or writing that refers to a previous pegging; and
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In the case of a post for an opal development lease – be completely white.
| Where can I apply for an explosives permit? |
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SafeWork SA - Adelaide Office (phone: +61 8 8303 0400; email: help@safework.sa.gov.au)
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The Coober Pedy office of the Opal Mining Registrar
Contact Information
Group Program Leader
John.Dale@sa.gov.au
Phone: +61 8 8678 9059
Opal Mining Registrar
Phone: +61 8 8678 9057
- Page URL: http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/minerals/licensing_and_regulation/opal_mining/faq_opal
- Page Last Modified: May 4, 2012