Licence name
Precious stones prospecting permit
Fees
All fees effective from 1 July 2011 and GST exempt.
Application | Fee |
Application for issue or renewal of a precious stones prospecting permit |
$62.50 |
Application for issue of a duplicate permit |
$13.80 |
Application for issue of a set of identification plates (other than the first set of plates) |
$7.45 |
Application for issue of a replacement identification plate |
$5.85 |
Application for registration of:
(a) a small precious stones claim
(b) a large precious stones claim
(c) an extra large precious stones claim
(d) an opal development lease
The size, shape and dimensions of areas are defined in the Opal Mining Regulations 1997 - Part 3. | $25.75
$52.50
$74.50
$83.00 |
Duration
One year
Overview
South Australia has four proclaimed opal fields - Coober Pedy, Mintabie, Stuart Creek and Andamooka. There are also fields on Lambina and Welbourn Hill pastoral stations.
South Australia's opal fields supply an estimated 80% of total world opal production.
The basic requirements to prospect and mine for opal are outlined on the minerals website of the Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy (DMITRE) in two information sheets:
- Prospecting and mining for opal within proclaimed precious stones fields
- Prospecting and mining for opal outside proclaimed precious stones fields.
Apply for a licence
You must apply personally at any office of the Mining Registrar, in Adelaide, Andamooka, Coober Pedy or Marla.
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and be an Australian resident or hold a current working visa.
Individuals will be required to provide some form of identification for signature - eg a driver's licence and/or current passport.
Note: visitors from overseas applying for a precious stones prospecting permit must have an unlimited working visa. The immigration online verification service will be used to confirm the status of all international passports prior to a permit being issued.
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More information
Other websites
The origin of opal and the opal fields - Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy (DMITRE)
Map of South Australia's opal fields - DMITRE Minerals
Full list of opal mining fees, rents and royalties - DMITRE Minerals
Contact
The Mining Registrar, via DMITRE Minerals offices:
101 Grenfell St, Adelaide
GPO Box 1671, Adelaide SA 5001
+61 8 8463 3000
TAFE Building, Hutchison Street, Coober Pedy
PO Box 475, Coober Pedy SA 5723
+61 8 8672 5800
Lot 247 Government Road, Andamooka
+61 8 8672 7017
Call the Coober Pedy office to check office opening hours. Send all post to Coober Pedy office.
Lot 99 Plover Street, Marla
+61 8 8670 7005
Call the Coober Pedy office to check office opening hours. Send all post to Coober Pedy office.
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