Opal Mining

The area marked in white below indicates where the ancient Artisian inland sea once lay. within this area Australia's most famous opal fields operate. All types of precious opal are found in this vast area.

The area marked in gray indicates where the state of Queensland's opal fields are found, home to the boulder opal.

The infamous Hayricks Mine with founder Joe Knehr, 1929	Yowah Opal Fields, mined since 1884
This dummy with the sign reading "ratter" underneath is an indication of what miners think of people stealing opal from their mines
Very old photo of typical miners and camp in the early 1900s (White Cliffs field)

Australian Opal Mining Industry

Currently, Australia produces approximately 95 per cent of the world’s opal from sedimentary rocks in central Australia. Other countries which produce minor amounts of opal include Honduras, Mexico, former Czechoslovakia and Brazil. With the exception of Brazilian opal, which is sediment-hosted, opal in these countries occurs in volcanic rocks. Sedimentary opal is superior in quality to volcanic opal.

All of Australia’s significant opal deposits are situated within or adjacent to the margins of the Great Australian Basin. The characteristics of opal deposits vary from field to field. The highest value stones are black opals from Lightning Ridge. Gem quality opals vary enormously in price. Unprocessed top quality black opal is currently worth up to $10,000 per carat. Lesser quality opal varies considerably in price depending on the type of opal, its colour, impurities and defects.

The value of the industry to the Australian economy is unknown owing to its fragmented nature and inadequate official records. Production figures of between $100 Million and $200 Million per annum for uncut gems are generally quoted. Estimates from the various State governments support the more conservative figure.

Historically, opal mining has been the preserve of the small-scale miner, although each of the opal States (South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland) has either enacted legislation or begun promotion to encourage the larger-scale explorer and miner. Despite the vast expanse of potential opal-bearing rocks in central Australia, only one new opal centre (Lambina in South Australia) and few new significant discoveries away from existing centres have been made in the last 70 years.