Opal mining in South Australia is administered by the Department for Energy and Mining in accordance with the Opal Mining Act. The department's Opal Fields Program is based in Coober Pedy, with regional services provided to Andamooka and Mintabie.

Opal occurrences in South Australia

Opal occurrences in South Australia

Opal claims by location, June 2023

Categories of opal field administrative tasks undertaken by regional office 2022-23

Table 7.1: Opal mining revenue raised 2022–23

Coober Pedy $154,772
Andamooka $44,902
Mintabie $4,620
Total revenue$204,294

Opal mining compliance

The department conducts compliance activities to provide assurance to the government, opal miners and community stakeholders that opal mining activities are complying with the appropriate Acts and regulations. Noncompliance identified through surveillance, complaints, incidents and alleged breaches was investigated for 1,086 claims (first and second inspections).

Table 7.2: Compliance summary of first and second inspections for opal field activities 2022–23

InspectionsCoober PedyMintabieLambinaAndamookaTotal
First inspection compliant496110207714
First inspection noncompliant1611049211
Second inspection compliant1060033139
Second inspection noncompliant11001122
Total7741203001086

Court actions

Escalated matters of noncompliance under the Opal Mining Act are managed by the Opal Mining Registrar who initiates Warden’s Court actions.

This includes regular phone conferences and by sittings of the Warden’s Court in Coober Pedy and Andamooka twice a year. Opal miners can also initiate their own actions in the Warden’s Court. These matters usually relate to suspension of working conditions, amalgamation of tenements or partnership disputes.

In 2022–23 the department raised 15 court actions. Of these actions, 5 matters were dismissed and 5 claims forfeited.