New Website for Lightning Ridge

Image of Opal Claim System Viewer

Minister for Mineral Resources Ian Macdonald today announced the implementation of a website specifically to address the needs of the Lightning Ridge mining community.

"This website set up by the NSW Department of Primary Industries will provide information to miners, landholders and the general community" he said.

"This new facility will be of great value to the Lightning Ridge community - supplying details of legislative requirements for exploration and mining titles for opal mining in the Lightning Ridge Mineral Claims District.

According to Lindsay Gilligan, Director of the NSW Geological Survey and Deputy Chairman of the Lightning Ridge Mining Board, it also provides details of landholders rights and explains the compensation fund for landholders.

Mr Gilligan said the new website which is now live provides access to application forms and fees structures, maps and publications, guidelines and other information.

"There are also details of requirements for mineral claim transactions, such as applications, renewals, transfers, suspensions and cancellations.

"Additionally it allows access to the Opal Claim System Viewer to see the status of titles throughout the opal fields.

Mr Gilligan added details on upcoming mining related courses would be available along with an overview of opal mining and exploration.

Other key features include:

• information on different types of opal, its chemical composition, characteristics and properties
• geological information, including geological reports covering the Lightning Ridge area
• Outlines rules and regulations regarding fossicking in the opal fields
• information regarding the history of the Lightning Ridge and surrounding opal fields

The Lightning Ridge website can be reached from the main NSW DPI website via the link www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/minerals/lightning-ridge