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

Opal fields in South Australia

Opal field (year discovered)	Permit required	Area	Location	Information for tourists
Andamooka (1930)	Proclaimed precious stones fields	263 km²	Surrounds the town of Andamooka, approx. 35 km east of Roxby Downs, approximately 250 km north of Port Augusta via Woomera	Accomodation available in Andamooka and Roxby Downs
Coober Pedy (1915)	Proclaimed precious stones fields	4954 km²	On the Stuart Highway 550 km north of Port Augusta	Coober Pedy is a modern town with all amenities and tourist facilities
Mintabie (1929)	Mintabie endorsed proclaimed precious stones fields and Permit to travel to Mintabie township	213 km²	On the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankuntjatjara (APY) Lands 32 km west of Marla	Access to Mintabie is restricted What you need to know about mining or residing in Mintabie
Stuart Creek (1947)	Proclaimed precious stones fields	25 km²	Approximately 58 km north of Andamooka	Only recommended for experienced opal miners and bush travellers - a remote waterless area without any significant shade trees, need a 4WD vehicle for access
Lambina and Welbourn Hill pastoral stations	No opal mining is permitted without a valid Native Title Mining Agreement	-	Six negotiated diggings over the two pastoral stations	It is not recommended that tourists travel to Lambina and Welbourn Hill

Opal_Map

Legislation and regulation of opal mining

Approval for opal mining and prospecting in South Australia is regulated by the:

Opal Mining Act 1995
Opal Mining Regulations 2012
Coober Pedy Precious Stones Field Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA)
Andamooka Precious Stones Field Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA)

The laws for opal mining apply throughout the state, but there are special provisions within the Act that apply to the proclaimed precious stones fields.

The Department for Energy and Mining, Opal Fields Program is responsible for:

tenement administration, regulation and physical inspection of all opal fields in South Australia
the development of the Opal Mining Industry through government initiatives, driving best practice and workplace safety with support from SafeWork SA programs.

Update (14 May 2019)

The Andamooka Precious Stones Field ILUA came into operation on 7 May 2019 when it was registered on the Register of Indigenous Land Use Agreements under the Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993.

The ILUA, between the Minister for Energy and Mining and the Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation, opens up new areas of land for opal mining with the Andamooka Precious Stones Field.

Opal miners will be able to sign up to the ILUA at no cost, by executing an Acceptance Deed - Andamooka Precious Stones Field and providing a copy to the Department. This will allow opal miners to obtain native title access to land approved by the Kokatha native title holders immediately upon obtaining the relevant permit or tenement under the Opal Mining Act 1995.

As long as opal miners comply with the ILUA they can carry out their operations without having to follow the native title process in the Opal Mining Act for the Native Title Act.

Download a copy of the Acceptance Deed - Andamooka Precious Stones Field for signature

For further information about the ILUA contact:

Ashley Wood (Manager Opal Fields) on 8678 9059; or
Andrew Moll (Principal Policy Officer) on 8429 2504.

For more information, contact:

Ashley Wood
Manager Opal Fields Program
Phone: +61 (8) 8672 5800
Email: Ashley.Wood@sa.gov.au

Jacqueline Boland
Acting Senior Deputy Opal Mining Registrar
Phone: +61 8 8672 5800
Email: Jacqueline.Boland@sa.gov.au

Opal miners can obtain information and application forms from:

Andamooka Post Office
9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday, closed on public holidays

Mintabie Post Office
9.00 am to 1.00 pm Monday to Friday, closed on public holidays

Opal mining