Lightning Ridge Opal Mine Safety Course chalks up 5000th participant

The Mine Safety Awareness Course conducted by the Department of Primary Industries in Lightning Ridge and White Cliffs Opal Fields has reached a milestone with the attendance of the 5000th participant.

Sandra Cree this week became the 5000th person to attend the course in Lightning Ridge.

Originally from Melbourne, Sandra and her husband, who also did the course this week, have been living in Lightning Ridge for the past 25 years. 

“I found the course to be very detailed and informative and I thoroughly enjoyed it” she said.

After completing the day and a half long course all attendees receive a certificate and participants are then able to have an opal mineral claim registered in their name. 

A claim cannot be registered or renewed by anyone who has not completed the course, even those who have been mining for many years.

According to the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Primary Industries – Minerals, Alan Coutts, these courses are widely credited with the dramatic improvement in safety on the opal fields.

“Not one opal mining fatality has been recorded in the last eight years, compared with one a year for the preceding 10 years,” said Mr Coutts.

“This important improvement can be largely attributed to the DPI’s Opal Mine Safety Awareness Courses and is testimony to the State Government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of our miners.”

The content of the course has been developed in consultation with the Lightning Ridge and Grawin/Sheepyards Miners’ Associations. It includes OHS responsibilities of claim holders, hazard identification and elimination, legislative requirements, mine planning, electrical hazards, ground stability, emergency procedures and complying with environmental regulations.

Initially attendance was voluntary but was made compulsory for all new claim holders in 1995.

“The courses attract not only fulltime miners but also the hobby miner and those who have never mined before. People come from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and ACT,” said Mr Coutts. 

MEDIA CONTACT:  JENNY WARD – (02) 8289 3925 or 0429 305 950