NRS-18585 | Opal Prospecting Licence (OPL)

Full description

This series consists of Opal Prospecting Licences (OPL) which were issued to individuals and companies.

Mineral exploration for opals is termed prospecting, and is conducted under an Opal Prospecting Licence or Mineral Claim. Opal Prospecting Licences are granted over much larger areas than those granted under mineral claims but are purely for prospecting and do not authorise mining. (1)

An Opal Prospecting Licence can only be granted over lands defined as an Opal Prospecting Block within an area designated under the Mining Act 1992 as an Opal Prospecting Area. There are several Opal Prospecting Areas in the Lightning Ridge and White Cliffs Mineral Claims Districts. (1)

Opal Prospecting Licences are handled by the Lightning Ridge Office of Industry and Investment NSW (I&I NSW). Between 50 and 100 Opal Prospecting Licences are processed by the office each year. (1)

The licences are loose papers which are labelled with a unique number. Each licence features the name of the individual or company, with a drawing of drill hole logs identifying the different types of soils and in some instances a sketch of the drill site.

Endnotes
1. Trade & Investment, Resources & Energy, Opal Prospecting
http://www.resourcesandenergy.nsw.gov.au/miners-and-explorers/applications-and-approvals/opal-mining/opal-prospecting (last accessed January 29, 2015)