Syndyne
Shaun Galman
Hi all,
Here's a little something I'd thought I'd share and offer a bit of an incite as to what goes on up here on the opal now.
I decided to head out onto the fields for a speck on Tuesday (after the good rains) to an old area I've worked and frequented numerous times over the years only to be greeted by a closed gate with large chain and padlock! Well I was somewhat confused by the matter and all I could do was just stand there and scratch my head. Reluctantly I got back in the ute and turned for home (about a 44klm run out there and back!).
Our old mining partner John popped by just before and I told him what happened. He turned to me and said; Didn't you hear? As of last Friday the farmers are now locking all gates to miners and are seeking written permission to be on their land -that they only lease from Western Lands and do not own.
He went on to then tell me that the Mines Department (DPI or Maratime and Fishing or, whatever they call themselves these days?!) here can offer an alternative in the form of a permit but, that will cost you $50 for three months. The bonds (paid to the farmers as compensation to look after the roads and rehabilitate claims -which they hardly ever do) on each registered claim has now gone from $25 back in the 90's when it was first introduced, up to $50 in the early 2000's and as of Friday up to $200 per claim PLUS the $500 bond owed to the Mines Department along with the registration fees -not sure what they are now but I'll bet they're astronomical!
I feel so enraged about this at the moment. ALL the opal bearing ridges here have been subject to mining for as long as I can remember and open to anyone to mine or prospect or whatever involving the opal industry. Due to only three, yes a mere three farmers (if you can call them that, I could think of far worse names lol!) the black opal industry is now having the FINAL nail driven into the coffin.
I've been debating on whether or not to go back mining recently after a three year hiatus looking after Dad but, now I'm just thinking of forgetting the whole thing. It's probably cheaper and less of a headache to just stay home. :/
And I thought it was difficult getting out on the gold in areas now. That's got nothing on the changes this place is going through currently. They seem to make up their own rules and forget about the miner's rights.
I've still got to go down to the Mines Department and sort out the gold prospecting licenses for the State Forrest so I'll get the word straight from the horses mouth on just what rubbish is going on up here.
This is the only place on the entire planet that gem quality black opal comes from! The three lousy farmers can move anywhere they like in this big country and run a few cattle but, what can the opal miners do... ? I'm at a loss for words with this news.
Apologies for the rant. Opal is was my livelihood for sixteen years so I feel very strongly when things go south -much as many of you feel on the gold or gems when rules change for the worse or areas are made off-limits for no real reason.
Cheers,
Shauno.
Here's a little something I'd thought I'd share and offer a bit of an incite as to what goes on up here on the opal now.
I decided to head out onto the fields for a speck on Tuesday (after the good rains) to an old area I've worked and frequented numerous times over the years only to be greeted by a closed gate with large chain and padlock! Well I was somewhat confused by the matter and all I could do was just stand there and scratch my head. Reluctantly I got back in the ute and turned for home (about a 44klm run out there and back!).
Our old mining partner John popped by just before and I told him what happened. He turned to me and said; Didn't you hear? As of last Friday the farmers are now locking all gates to miners and are seeking written permission to be on their land -that they only lease from Western Lands and do not own.
He went on to then tell me that the Mines Department (DPI or Maratime and Fishing or, whatever they call themselves these days?!) here can offer an alternative in the form of a permit but, that will cost you $50 for three months. The bonds (paid to the farmers as compensation to look after the roads and rehabilitate claims -which they hardly ever do) on each registered claim has now gone from $25 back in the 90's when it was first introduced, up to $50 in the early 2000's and as of Friday up to $200 per claim PLUS the $500 bond owed to the Mines Department along with the registration fees -not sure what they are now but I'll bet they're astronomical!
I feel so enraged about this at the moment. ALL the opal bearing ridges here have been subject to mining for as long as I can remember and open to anyone to mine or prospect or whatever involving the opal industry. Due to only three, yes a mere three farmers (if you can call them that, I could think of far worse names lol!) the black opal industry is now having the FINAL nail driven into the coffin.
I've been debating on whether or not to go back mining recently after a three year hiatus looking after Dad but, now I'm just thinking of forgetting the whole thing. It's probably cheaper and less of a headache to just stay home. :/
And I thought it was difficult getting out on the gold in areas now. That's got nothing on the changes this place is going through currently. They seem to make up their own rules and forget about the miner's rights.
I've still got to go down to the Mines Department and sort out the gold prospecting licenses for the State Forrest so I'll get the word straight from the horses mouth on just what rubbish is going on up here.
This is the only place on the entire planet that gem quality black opal comes from! The three lousy farmers can move anywhere they like in this big country and run a few cattle but, what can the opal miners do... ? I'm at a loss for words with this news.
Apologies for the rant. Opal is was my livelihood for sixteen years so I feel very strongly when things go south -much as many of you feel on the gold or gems when rules change for the worse or areas are made off-limits for no real reason.
Cheers,
Shauno.