Update on Mintabie transition

31 March 2026

Mintabie is a former remote opal mining town on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in far north South Australia.

Mintabie township area is closed and decommissioned, with no remaining structures.

Access to the APY Lands in South Australia requires a permit for all non-Anangu people, managed by the APY Permit Office

Only authorised opal miners with the appropriate permits are permitted to prospect and mine in the Mintabie Opal Field. Unauthorised access may result in legal consequences.

If you are an authorised opal miner, ensure you have the necessary endorsements and comply with all regulations when accessing the Mintabie Opal Field.

For further information including regulatory requirements, refer to Opal mining pages on this website, or contact the Coober Pedy Registrar Office at (08) 8672 5800.

The Mintabie Opal Field is located within the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands.

Access to the field is governed by the Opal Mining Act 1995 and the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Land Rights Act 1981.