Mintabie transition

The South Australian Government led a review of the Mintabie township in 2017. The 2017 Review was overseen by an independent Chair, and the Panel included Traditional Owners, representatives from the South Australian Government, Commonwealth Government and APY Executive Board.

The Review Panel consulted with people in the area and took their views into account. This included people in Mintabie and the nearby Anangu communities of Indulkana and Mimili.

While it was noted that most residents in Mintabie wished to remain there, a detailed investigation uncovered significant concerns that some people had been engaging in antisocial and illegal behaviours in the area, including the book-up credit practice, and the 2017 Review recommended the Township be closed to protect Anangu from these behaviours.

'Book-up' is a form of credit which allows the customer to buy goods now and pay for them later. Book-up is generally an informal arrangement with no set repayment dates or formal documentation. It is often used in Aboriginal communities and can play a useful role. However, some book-up practices are exploitative. For example, consumers may be required to provide their debit cards, PINs and details of their income to a shop owner, who then uses the information and cards to withdraw all the customer’s money from their bank account on or around the day they were paid.

The Review Panel consulted with people in the area and took all views into account. This included face-to-face community meetings with people in Mintabie and the nearby Anangu communities of Indulkana and Mimili.

The Review Panel also spoke to relevant non-government organisations that deliver services on the APY Lands and government agencies.

A full outline of the consultation activity can be found in Appendix 5 of the Review Report, and a full outline of the written correspondence received can be found in Appendix 6.

In June 2018, the Minister for Energy and Mining wrote to the APY Executive Board, giving formal notice to terminate the Mintabie Township Lease, in accordance with the terms of the Mintabie Township Lease Agreement.

In June 2018 the South Australian Government wrote to all Mintabie residents and advised them that they need to vacate the township by 30 June 2019.

In June 2019 the South Australian Government terminated its lease with APY.

Following the settlement of a Federal Court action in November 2019, the South Australian Government has committed that the town is closed by 31 December 2019.

APY has informed the South Australian Government and the Mintabe residents that it does not intend to authorise Mintabie residents to reside at Mintabie or elsewheere on the APY Lands.

The South Australian Government is reviewing the arrangements for opal mining in Mintabie and is assessing options regarding the future of the Mintabie Precious Stones Field. Currently, opal mining can continue at the Mintabie Precious Stones Field.

New compliance provisions will be applicable on the Mintabie Precious Stones Field from 31 December 2019

Requests for further information should be directed to:

Department for Energy and Mining
Phone: 08 8463 3000
By post: GPO Box 320, Adelaide, SA 5001 
Email: DEM.MintabieTownship@sa.gov.au