Update on Mintabie transition

6 March 2025

Access to the Mintabie Opal Field is restricted due to the current rehabilitation program underway in the Mintabie township area.

The township area is closed with NO access to the public. Access to the opal field is available via the Airstrip Road, as indicated by detour signs.

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, please 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.

About Mintabie

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

A review of the Mintabie Lease and Mintabie Township Lease Agreement was conducted in 2017. The South Australian Government announced on 14 February 2018 that it would close the Mintabie township as per the recommendations of the review report.

All residents left Mintabie by 31 December 2019 following negotiations with the South Australian Government.

The South Australian Government has committed to the orderly decommissioning and remediation of the former township by the removal of all dwellings, secondary buildings, abandoned vehicles and mining equipment and other township infrastructure in accordance with negotiations with the APY, through an independently chaired Mintabie Oversight Committee.

Authorised opal mining can continue on the Mintabie Precious Stones Field. For further information including regulatory requirements, please refer to Opal mining.