Opal Mining Review deadline extended

Miner Vicki Bokros at the Three Mile Opal Fields – one of mnay miners affected by the Review of Small Scale Titles in NSW. Photo contributed

The Independent Review into the Statutory Framework for Small-Scale Titles in NSW released 81 recommendations in June this year and the NSW government has now extended the deadline of the review.

Lightning Ridge Area Opal Reserve Manager David Sullivan said the government has effectively postponed the recommendations after hoping to get some action by the end of the year.

“They have a working group, which our organisation was part of and the government was going to give its recommendations, but now they’ve put a pause on that and said that the Minister is going to come out to Lightning Ridge next year,” Mr Sullivan said.

The working group, which is chaired by the NSW government’s Special Envoy for Opal Mining, Stephen Lawrence MLC and which has held five sessions to date, includes representatives from the opal mining industry, landholders, First Nations representatives and other key stakeholders.

“It’s crucial we listen to the community in Lightning Ridge and give them the time they need to inform the government’s response to provide certainty for miners and landholders.” Mr Lawrence said.

Following a request for additional time, the NSW Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos has agreed to extend the working group’s timeline. This will allow their discussions to continue and hopefully provide advice on each of the report’s 81 recommendations.

The NSW government says it is committed to taking steps to protect the interests of both the opal mining industry and landholders and to minimise land conflict. […]

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