Lightning Ridge Miners on edge over rule changes

Rebel Black and David Sullivan from the Lightning Ridge Area Opal Reserve with Member for Barwon Roy Butler. Photo contributed

A NSW government inquiry into small-scale opal mining has recommended new rules that Lightning Ridge miners fear will make it impossible to stay afloat.

These changes include cost hikes, strict claim limits, and a push toward open-cut mining, which they say would damage the land. Claims may also need to be re-surveyed under the new system.

Miners say the leaseholders could be forced to clean up old government-neglected sites at their own expense and they fear the changes could mean job losses, broken livelihoods, and an uncertain future.

Member for Barwon Roy Butler was in Lightning Ridge recently with the Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos to meet with miners and landholders to hear their concerns.

The trip included visits to mining sites, inspections of residences, as well as unrehabilitated areas and preserved fields.

According to the Minister this was a valuable opportunity for stakeholders to discuss their priorities including the future of opal mining, rehabilitation requirements and compensation amounts.

Reviewer Terry Sheahan has handed down 81 recommendations that are meant to balance stakeholder rights and responsibilities, improve rehabilitation and environmental outcomes, update cost and compensation structures, improve the legal framework and modernise the administration of mineral claims.

A working group was established, comprising opal miners and other key stakeholders, to consider the recommendations and provide advice to the NSW government. […]

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