PIRSA Minerals

Jump to content

 

Navigation

 

Opal Mining

  • Opal is Australia's national gemstone and the gemstone emblem of South Australia.
  • According to Indigenous storytelling the colours of the opal were created by a rainbow.
  • Opals are also known as the fire of the desert.

South Australia has four proclaimed opal fields: Coober Pedy, Mintabie, Stuart Creek and Andamooka. There are also fields on Lambina and Welbourn Hill pastoral stations.

South Australia's opal fields supply an estimated 80% of total world opal production.

Mining for opals

You need to hold a current Precious Stones Prospecting Permit before mining for opals in South Australia.

The basic requirements to prospect and mine for opal are outlined in:

More general information is given in Opal Mining Frequently Asked Questions

Legislation and regulation

Approvals for opal mining and prospecting in South Australia is regulated by the Opal Mining Act 1995 (external site, opens in new window) the Opal Mining Regulations 1997 (external site, opens in new window) and the Lambina / Wellbourn Hill Native Title Agreements.

The laws for opal mining apply throughout the state, but there are special provisions within the Act that apply to the proclaimed precious stone fields. The precious stone fields include Andamooka, Mintabie, Coober Pedy, and Stuart Creek.

PIRSA's Opal Fields Program is responsible for tenement administration, regulation and physical inspection of all opal fields in South Australia.

The Program is responsible for the development of the Opal Mining Industry through government initiatives and drives it towards best practice and workplace safety through initiatives and support from Work Safe SA programs.

Contact information

  • Group Program Leader: John Dale, phone 08 8678 9059
  • Acting Opal Mining Registrar: Merilyn Lane, phone 08 8678 9057

More information about opals

Information on the origin of opal and the opal fields in South Australia

The following publications can be purchased from PIRSA's Customer Services Centre

  • Opal: South Australia's Gemstone 1992, Handbook No. 5, provides a detailed account of South Australian opal
  • Opal in South Australia 2004, brochure with a brief overview of the opal fields in South Australia, including opal mining and the law and the value and presentation of opals

Information for tourists 

Beamite opal

Opal snail

Andamooka opal 

Andamooka opal