If you are interested in or affected by opal mining in the Lightning Ridge Mineral Claims District, read the Code of Conduct for landholders, opal miners and prospectors 
[62KB PDF]. The code is aimed at anyone involved in, or affected by, the opal mining industry at Lightning Ridge and the surrounding district.
Providing safe and adequate access to watering points is an important part of effectively managing stock, particularly in the summer heat. See Protections in place for stock to safely access watering points 
[103KB PDF] for more information on what protections exist so that stock can safely access water within the Lightning Ridge Mineral Claims District.
Landholders
A review of land access and compensation was undertaken by the NSW Government in response to the Wilcox Report and the Mining Amendment (Small-Scale Title Compensation) Act 2014 No 53 was passed in September 2014.
Disputes regarding the conduct of mining are dealt with by the NSW Land and Environment Court and by NSW Department of Industry. Read more about how disputes are handled in the Miners & Explorers section of this website.
Prospectors
Discover more about Lightning Ridge, its history and opals in the Miners & Explorers area of this website, where you can access:
- Lightning Ridge maps, reports and records
- Opal Claim System (OCS) Viewer
- Mineral claims information and fee schedules
- Mining courses on safety, the environment and operating a mine
- Phone:
- +61 (0)2 6820 5200
- Fax:
- +61 (0)2 6829 0825
- Email:
- lightningridge.office@planning.nsw.gov.au
- Postal:
- NSW Department of Planning and Environment, Division of Resources and Geoscience, PO Box 314 Lightning Ridge NSW 2834
- Office:
- Lot 60 Morilla Street Lightning Ridge NSW 2834 Map