Opal Info
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Welcome to Opal gem hunter web site our aims Integrity, 100% guaranteed safe website The famous three-mile opal field is the richest opal field ever in the history of the opal Industries, where the Australians first found the rarest and most beautiful opal, the harlequin pattern the quality of this opal today is still the best.
Opal is Australia's National Gemstone. Australia produces 95% of the world's natural precious opal supply.
Ancient gemstone legends and stories Countries which claim that Opal is a lucky gemstone- Switzerland, Germany, United States of America, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, Russia, South Korea, Spain, South Africa, England Ireland Scotland, Switzerland and most of Scandinavia, Taiwan, most of the South East Asian countries, Canada, etc etc. And we must not forget the zodiac signs and birth stars the Opal is the birthstone of October, which as legends go bring - health-business-love if born in October and is a regular where of Opal Jewelry.
There has been many famous people over the ages that have loved to wear Opal Jewelry, Queens of England and Europe, Chinese Empress, and in today's modern times it seems like movie stars are the legends of the times, and as many famous Hollywood stars love their Black Opal's in particular then Opal is well worth the consideration to have in your glory box.
THIS WEEKS FORUM :This week's topic Opal jewelry , the gemstone Opal consist of many types, the rarest and most expensive exotic Black Opal is usually enhanced by surrounding a gem quality Black Opal with very small diamonds. The designer can use other gemstones such as rubies which will enhanced blue and green opals . Red colour Opal and multicoloured Opals only need clear diamond to enhanced Black Opal jewellery designs , the Goldsmith and designer can sit down with the client take their ring size and discussed with them the different options of jewelry designs that would suit such a beautiful gem quality Black Opal, the jewelry will discuss the amount of gold gram weight possibly, a particular budget requirement before the detail handmade sculpture is manufactured in wax in the very first step of jewelry making.
Crystal Opal jewelry is usually very sought after particularly high-grade clear transparent crystal Opal which again can be enhanced by diamonds rubies and other gemstones, as opals come in all colours they can be designed using only the Opal by jewelry designers or use multiple layers of crystal Opals as in many cases there is no need to use other gemstones to incorporate into the crystal Opal jewelry design.
Bolder Opal has high-quality but the majority are usually mass-produce and not handmade by jewelry manufacturers. These opals are usually manufactured with silver to different degrees and percent of pure metal. This Opal is virtually unique to the state of Queensland situated in the country of Australia.
Semi-Black Opal as opals come in all colours they can be designed singularly by jewelry designers or use multiple layers as in many cases there is no need to use other gemstones to incorporate into the jewelry design. Gray opals or semiprecious Opals are usually mass-produce and not handmade by jewelry manufacturers. These opals are usually manufactured with silver to different degrees and percent of pure metal.
White Opal mostly from the state of South Australia mass-produce and not handmade by jewelry manufacturers. These opals are usually manufactured using metals such as silver to different degrees and percent of pure metal. White Opal is predominantly found in jewelry throughout the industry extensively as such gemstones are found in large quantities and supplied to the jewelry industry throughout the world as countries like Germany United States China, Italy England and India treasure this unique gemstone as you will rarely see or buy to opals that fit a similar description.
SIZE AND SHAPE OF MINERAL OPALS BLACK OPAL CLAIMS Lightning Ridge Australia.
A ..The conditions of the Lightning Ridge Mineral Claims District specify the shape and size of mineral opal claims that may be granted within the area. These conditions are detailed below:
B..The area of land granted under a mineral opal claim must be square in shape no greater than 50 metres by 50 metres except where the external boundaries of the land available for grant make such a shape impractical in which case the maximum area must not exceed 2,500 square metres.
C..A mineral black opal claim exceeding 2,500 square metres, but no greater than two hectares, may be granted, in accordance with policy, to a person who was, at the time of lodgement of the application for the mineral opal claim, the holder of an opal prospecting licence over the land.
If a person demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Mining Registrar that “opal puddling” is an appropriate mining purpose in respect of a particular area a opal mineral claim of a size no greater than 2 hectares may be granted.
OPALS BLACK OPAL CLAIMS Lightning Ridge Australia Prior to lodging your application for a mineral opal claim the area required must be marked out so that the boundaries and location of the area are known The requirements for marking out an area are:
A post or steel star picket must be fixed firmly in the ground at each angle of the land required and must project at least one metre above the surface
Trenches must be cut at each angle to indicate the general direction of the boundary lines. These trenches must be at least 150 millimetres in depth, and extend along the boundaries for a distance of at least one metre.
OPALS BLACK OPAL CLAIMS Lightning Ridge Australia. If it is not practical to cut trenches because of the nature of the ground, stone walls at least 150 millimetres in height, and extending for a distance of at least 1 metre from the post or picket may be erected.
A completed mark out notice must be attached to the post or picket on the northernmost corner of the proposed opal claim, or if there are 2 or more of these, the easternmost of them, using a board or plate (made of wood or metal) as a base.
OPALS & BLACK OPAL CLAIMS Lightning Ridge Australia Supplies of mark-out notices are available from the Mining Registrar's Office.
Notices looks look like this :-MINERAL CLAIM
Mining ACT 1992
Name:
Address:
DATE & TIME OF MARK OUT: AT A.M/P.M.
DIMENSIONS OF THE LAND :
OPALS BLACK OPAL CLAIMS Lightning Ridge Australia
CLAIM NUMBER:
Note: The words "MINERAL CLAIM" must be in block letters prominently displayed at the head of the notice.
THE AREA OF THE PROPOSED OPAL MINERAL CLAIM IS NOT MARKED OUT CORRECTLY YOUR APPLICATION FOR A OPAL CLAIM MAY BE REFUSED BY THE MINING REGISTRAR.
If there has been a complaint made that a opal mineral claim is not correctly marked out the opals black opal claim holder has 28 days to correctly mark out the claim and rectify the situation. If this does not occur the claim may be cancelled.
In addition, an applicant for a opal mineral claim must provide a survey plan or map of the area marked out complete with measurements and bearings and distances so that the area can be accurately included in the Mining Registrar’s records.
Opals-black Opal-crystal opals-semi-black opals-grey opals claims Lightning Ridge NSW Australia The main opal fields have survey marks placed on them to assist people to accurately measure by bearings and distances the location of their claims from these survey marks. This can be done using a compass and tape. The survey marks are tagged with metal identification numbers and if you are not aware of the one nearest to your area of interest please contact the Mining Registrar who will provide a copy of the relevant plan showing the location of survey marks. It is essential to have access to at least one mark when locating a claim. It is preferable to have two survey marks, one either side of the claim.
Within 12 months of lodging a new black opal mineral claim the Department will accurately survey the claim.
NOTICE TO LANDHOLDERS OPALS & BLACK OPAL CLAIMS Lightning Ridge Australia
You must serve notice of your intention to apply for a opal claim on all affected landholders. The definition of "landholder" in the Mining Act, 1992 includes freehold owners; holders of Western Lands Leases and native title holders.
Notice can be served in one of two ways:-
OPALS & BLACK OPAL CLAIMS Lightning Ridge Australia
The Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993 (CNTA) does not apply to the Lightning Ridge Opal Field because it has been declared under section 26C of the CNTA as an “approved opal and gem mining area”. This means that while a number of standard requirements are met, mineral claim applicants do not have to undertake any section 29 procedures of the CNTA.
LODGEMENT OF MINERAL CLAIM APPLICATION
The following must be lodged with the Mining Registrar:
Application form (obtainable from the Mining Registrar’s office).
A survey plan or map which clearly identifies the land (the distance and bearing of each side of the area and a connection, by distance and bearing, to a survey mark must be shown).
OPALS & BLACK OPAL CLAIMS Lightning Ridge Australia
A copy of each notice served on the landholders together with a statutory declaration that such notices were served.
Identification such as a driver’s licence to confirm who you are.
The lodgement fee.
If all of the necessary requirements are complied with and there is no reason why the opals mineral claim should not be granted over the area a mineral claim will be granted.
The Mining Registrar in granting the mineral claim will give you a certificate that contains the number of the black opals mineral claim and its terms and conditions.
Opals-black Opal-crystal opals-semi-black opals-grey opals claims Lightning Ridge NSW Australia
In addition, the Mining Registrar will require you to:
sign the certificate accepting the terms and conditions of the claim.
Pay the security deposit, usually set at $250.00, to ensure that your obligations (including rehabilitation) under the opal claim are fulfilled.
Pay an amount that will be placed into a landholder compensation fund and used to compensate landholders whose land is affected by opals mining.
The Mining Act provides for the creation of opals Mineral Claim Districts. Special conditions approved by the Minister and advertised in the Government Gazette apply to opal mineral claims granted over land within a district.
The special conditions cover policy issues such as the shape and size of claims; the maximum number of claims that may be held; the term of the claim etc . The Lightning Ridge opals Mineral Claim District has been created over the Opal Fields.
Opals-black Opal-crystal opals-semi-black opals-grey opals claims Lightning Ridge NSW Australia Mineral opal claims also are granted subject to specific conditions addressing issues such as mine safety, rehabilitation, dogs, buildings etc.
Information about the special and specific conditions may be obtained from the Department’s Office.
It is the responsibility of the opal claim holder to be aware of and to comply with the conditions of the claim.
A breach of conditions can lead to:
the holder of the opals claim being directed to fix the problem and/or a fine being imposed and/or cancellation of the claim.
The procedure for dealing with breaches of conditions – highlighted by a member of the public or a Departmental officer - is in the section Conditions that require some explanation:
Effectively Worked One of the main conditions of a opal mineral claim is that the opals claim must be effectively worked to the satisfaction of the Mining Registrar. Any such determination to the contrary will be reviewed by a senior officer at the Head Office of the Department of Mineral Resources. Failure to effectively work the mineral opal claim could lead to the cancellation of the claim.
For a opals claim to be effectively worked it must be actually operated as a claim and that means that there must be some work done for the purpose of extracting opal or for the purpose of finding opals.
There must not be any significant or substantial cessation of operations unless there has been an approved suspension of conditions approved by the Mining Registrar.
Opals-black Opal-crystal opals-semi-black opals-grey opals claims Lightning Ridge NSW Australia The decision as to whether or not a opals claim has is being effectively worked will be a practical one and will be based on, amongst other factors:the type of equipment used, theintentions of the opal claim holder ,the scale of the operation and residential status of the claim holder.
The intention of this condition is to ensure that areas of land are not sterilised by opals claim holders without being worked.
A number of the conditions also require that the black opal or opals mineral claim area should be rehabilitated upon the expiry or cancellation of the claim. The rehabilitation requirements vary depended on whether or not the claim is located in a new or preserved opal field. Guidelines on rehabilitation requirements are available from the Departments office – see “Rehabilitation Standards for Cancelled Claims”.
The conditions require that the opals claim holder comply with safety provisions contained in the Mines Inspection Act 1901 and its Regulations and conduct operations in a manner that does not endanger the safety of any person. Guidelines for complying with these safety conditions are available from the Departments office.
Dogs on Claims Opals-black Opal-crystal opals-semi-black opals-grey opals claims Lightning Ridge NSW Australia DIV align=left>
Due to the dual land use that occurs in the area, with farmers and miners, the Department of Mineral Resources places a high level of importance on the observance of the specific opal & black opals mineral claim condition. Some claims do not allow the claimholder to have a dog on the opal claim (refer to the claim conditions for details). Dog attacks on stock are of the utmost concern to the Landholder, the Department and the Mining Industry.
Council Rates: It is a condition of all camp mineral opals & black opal claims that they must pay to Walgett Council any fees, rates or charges as the Council may determine from time to time. The Mining Registrar can request proof of payment at any time. Non-payment of Council fees, rates or charges is a breach of conditions and can lead to the cancellation of the opal claim.
FOR THE RENEWAL OF MINERAL CLAIMS
WITHIN THE LIGHTNING RIDGE MINING DIVISION
LODGEMENT OF RENEWAL APPLICATION
Opals-black Opal-crystal opals-semi-black opals-grey opals claims Lightning Ridge NSW Australia
Application for the renewal of a opals mineral claim can be lodged by mail, facsimile or in person with the Mining Registrar on or within 2 months before the day on which the claim is due to expire.
To renew your claim the following must be lodged with the Mining Registrar:
Application form (obtainable from the Mining Registrar’s office). The lodgment fee.Landholder compensation. Opals-black Opal-crystal opals-semi-black opals-grey opals mining in Lightning Ridge NSW Australia
Upon renewal an Instrument of Renewal will be given to you detailing the terms and conditions of the renewal. You will be required to sign this Instrument in person at the Lightning Ridge Office to indicate your acceptance of the terms and conditions of the renewal.
If there are difficulties in attending the Office arrangements should be made with the Mining Registrar to attend the Office at an alternative mutually acceptable time.
It is your responsibility to be aware of and to comply with the conditions of your claim. Failure to do so may result in fines being imposed or in the cancellation of youropal claim.
The Mining Registrar will not renew a claim if:the application for renewal is lodgedafter the expiry date of the claim.
The provisions of the Mining Act or Mines Inspection Act have not been complied with; or where it has come to the attention of the Mining Registrar that there has been a breach of the conditions of the claim which warrants refusal of the renewal application.
Breaches may include that the area is not safe; building guidelines have not been met; more than one dog is being kept on the opal & black opal claim area; etc.If the Mining Registrar proposes to refuse an application for renewal he will serve on the holder a notice of his intention to do so indicating the grounds of the proposed refusal. A holder served with such a notice may within twenty one (21) days of the date of the notice make representations to the Mining Registrar as to why the application should not be refused.
Before any final decision is made these representations will also be reviewed by a senior officer of the Department in the Sydney Head Office.
At the end of each month the Mining Registrar can prepare a list of all mineral opalclaims not renewed in the previous month. This list will be available to the public.
If you have any questions concerning the renewal of opal & black opals mineral claim please contact the Mining Registrar’s office.
TRANSFER OF A MINERAL CLAIM (OTHER THAN A CAMP CLAIM )
CHECK CLAIM DETAILS
Before agreeing to purchase a opal & black opals mineral claim, it is suggested that you check the details of the claim with the Mining Registrar. The Mining Registrar can provide you with the following information:-
The name of the claim holder;the expiry date of the opal claim; the location of the opal claim; and
Any outstanding matter with the claim, that needs to be fixed before any consideration could be given to transferring the opal claim.
LODGEMENT OF TRANSFER APPLICATION
The following must be lodged with the Mining Registrar by the person acquiring the claim:-
Application form (obtainable from the Mining Registrar’s office) which must be signed by both parties., the transferor and the transferee.
A copy of each notice served by the holder of the mineral opal claim on the landholders (as mentioned on the application form).
Identification such as a driver’s licence to confirm who you are.
The lodgement fee.
MINING COURSE
New comers intending to acquire a mineral claim must attend a “Mining Course” prior to a claim being granted or transferred to them. To check if this applies to you contact the Mining Registrar’s office.
COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRANSFER OF A MINERAL CLAIM
A lodgement fee of $85.00.Stamp Duty payable at a rate of $12.50 per $1,000 of the purchase price. If there was no purchase price you will be charged $2 stamp dutys
A security deposit, usually set at $250.00, to ensure that your obligations (including rehabilitation) under the claim are fulfilled.
TRANSFER OF OPAL MINERAL CLAIM
The Mining Registrar upon transferring a mineral claim to you will ask you to sign the claim conditions to agree to comply with their requirements. As the holder of a mineral claim it is your responsibility to:- be aware of and to comply with the conditions of your opal claim; and properly maintain the marks defining the opal & black opal claim area.
Failure to do so may result in fines being imposed or in the cancellation of your claim.
Please note that the transfer of a mineral claim does not change the expiry date of the claim. If you want to continue to hold the opal claim you must apply for renewal at the appropriate time. Therefore, you should keep the expiry date in mind. A renewal application must be lodged on or within 2 months before the day on which the opal claim is due to expire.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES
If you have any questions concerning the transfer of mineral opal & black opal claims please contact the Mining Registrar’s office.
TRANSFER OF A CAMP MINERAL CLAIM
CHECK CLAIM DETAILS
Before agreeing to purchase a camp mineral claim, it is suggested that you check the details of the claim with the Mining Registrar. The Mining Registrar can provide you with the following information:-the name of the claim holder;the expiry date of the claim;the location of the claim;whether the claim is recorded as a camp claim;whether structures on the claim area have been approved by the Mining Registrar; and any outstanding matter with the claim, that needs to be fixed before any consideration could be given to transferring the claim.
The following must be lodged with the Mining Registrar by the person acquiring the claim:-Application form (obtainable from the Mining Registrar’s office) which must be signed by both parties., the transferor and the transferee.
A copy of each notice served by the holder of the mineral claim on the landholders (as mentioned on the application form).
Identification such as a driver’s licence to confirm who you are.The lodgement fee.
MINING COURSE
Newcomers intending to acquire a mineral opal claim who do not hold another claim must attend a “Mining Course” prior to a claim being granted or transferred to them. To check if this applies to you contact the Mining Registrar’s office.
COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRANSFER OF A CAMP MINERAL
A lodgement fee of $85.00.Stamp Duty payable at a rate of $12.50 per $1,000 of the purchase price. If there was no purchase price you will be charged $2 stamp duty.
A security deposit, usually set at $200.00, to ensure that your obligations (including rehabilitation) under claim are fulfilled.
TRANSFER OF CAMP MINERAL CLAIM
The Mining Registrar upon transferring a mineral claim to you will ask you to sign the claim conditions to agree to comply with their requirements. As the holder of a mineral claim it is your responsibility to:-be aware of and to comply with the conditions of your claim; and ,properly maintain the marks defining the claim area.
Failure to do so may result in fines being imposed or in the cancellation of your claim.
RATES TO WALGETT SHIRE COUNCIL
Following transfer of the claim, you should notify the Walgett Shire Council in writing that you are now the holder of the opal claim. As the holder of a camp mineral claim you are required to pay Council rates.
BUILDINGS AND FENCE
You must have written approval from the Mining Registrar before you commence to build a structure or fence on the claim area. A Building Approval form must be completed and lodged with the Mining Registrar to obtain the necessary approval. Walgett Shire Council has a “Local Approvals Policy” dealing with the erection of buildings and other structures. These apply to camps on claims. If you are not aware of these please contact the Council. Also the publication “Camps in the Opal Fields of Lightning Ridge” available from the Council and the Mining Registrar’s office is very useful
CLAIM RENEWAL
Please note that the transfer of a camp mineral claim does not change the expiry date of the claim. If you want to continue to hold the claim you must apply for renewal at the appropriate time. Therefore, you should keep the expiry date in mind. A renewal application must be lodged on or within 2 months before the day on which the claim is due to expire. DIV align=left>
FURTHER ENQUIRIES
If you have any questions concerning camp mineral claims please contact the Mining Registrar’s office.
CANCELLATION OF MINERAL CLAIMS
THE LEGISLATION
The Mining Act 1992 provides that a mineral claim may be cancelled for any of the following grounds:-if the holder contravenes any condition of the claim.if the holder contravenes any provision of the Mining Act or the Regulations.if the holder fails to pay the necessary compensation.if the holder is convicted of “Ratting”.At the written request of the holder if the land is determined to be agricultural land.If the land is required for a public purpose.If ordered to do so by a Warden’s Court.
The Mining Registrar must serve a written notice on the holder of the claim, if he proposes to cancel a claim on any of the first four grounds listed above. The notice must state the grounds of the proposed cancellation and give the holder a reasonable opportunity to make representations as to why the claim should not be cancelled.
It should be noted that if the holder of the claim has another party working the claim for them it is their responsibility to inform the party working the claim of any notice of contravention that could lead to a cancellation of the claim and to ensure that the situation is rectified.These representations will also be considered by a senior officer in the Sydney Head Office of the Department of Mineral Resources prior to a final determination being made.
If a claim is cancelled the holder may, within 14 days after written notice of the decision is served, apply to a Warden’s Court for a review of the decision.
OBSERVANCE OF CLAIM CONDITIONS
It is the responsibility of a mineral claim holder to be aware of and to comply with the conditions of his or her claim. A breach of conditions can lead to:-the holder being directed to fix the problem,a fine being imposed; or the claim being cancelled.
COMPLAINTS OR REPORTS THAT CONDITIONS ARE NOT BEING OBSERVED.
BY THE PUBLIC
Complaints from members of the public that the conditions of a mineral claim are not being observed are dealt with in the following manner:-the claim is inspected and any breach verified by an officer of the Department of Mineral Resources.If the inspection supports the complaint the holder is informed that it is proposed to cancel the claim and given a period of 21 days in which to make representations as to why the claim should not be cancelled.
Any representations made by the holder are given due consideration by the Mining Registrar and a senior officer from the Sydney Head Office before making a decision as to whether or not to cancel the claim.The holder is notified in writing by the Mining Registrar of the decision.
If the decision is to cancel the claim, the holder is informed of the right to apply to the Warden’s Court for a review of the decision.
REVIEW OF CANCELLATION BY THE WARDEN’S COURT
If you apply for a review of the decision to cancel your claim the matter will be heard by the Chief Mining Warden. The Warden is a Magistrate independent from the Department of Mineral Resources.
An application for review must be filed in a Warden’s Court within 14 days after written notice of the decision to cancel the claim is served on the holder. Application must be made on the appropriate form (obtainable from the Mining Registrar’s office) and a filing fee of $130 applies.
A hearing will be arranged by the Registrar of the Warden’s Court at which you would be able to give evidence and produce witnesses to substantiate your case.An application for review does not automatically stop or overturn the decision to cancel the claim. The Warden, however, in reaching a decision may decide to overturn the original decision and reinstate the claim.
In July each year the Mining Registrar will prepare a list of all Opals-black Opal-crystal opals-semi-black opals-grey opals mineral claims cancelled in the previous 12 months, together with the reason for cancellation. This list will be available to the public.
INFORMATION AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION FREE OF CHARGE
Opals-black Opal-crystal opals-semi-black opals-grey opals claim in Lightning Ridge NSW Australia.
The following computer or written are available, for inspection, free of charge, by members of the public during office hours:- a record of every application for a opals mineral claim that has been received by the mining registrar. The details available are - the name and address of the applicant;the location of the opal claim area as it appears on the Department’s maps;the size of the area; and the minerals or purposes applied for.
A record of every mineral opal & black opals claim granted by the mining registrar. The details available are - the name and address of the holder;the date of grant;the expiry date;the location of the opal claim area as it appears on the Department’s maps;the size of the area; and the minerals that may be mined or the purposes that may be carried out on the area.
Opals-black Opal-crystal opals-semi-black opals-grey opals claim in Lightning Ridge NSW Australia
A record of every mineral opal claim renewed by the mining registrar. The details available are - the name and address of the holder;the new expiry date.
The location of the opal & black opals claim area as it appears on the Department’s .The size of the area;the minerals that may be mined or the purposes that may be carried out on the area.
A record of every mineral opals claim transferred by the mining registrar. The details available are. The name and address of the new holder.record of every mineral opal claim cancelled by the mining registrar. The detail available is - the date of cancellation.
Files maintained by the Mining Registrar and documents lodged by applicants; holders; landholders or members of the public arenot available for inspection.
BY DEPARTMENTAL OFFICERS
The Lightning Ridge office of the Department of Mineral Resources has a total of 7 staff members, including 2 field officers, who administer some 6000 mineral claims.
The Department therefore does not have sufficient resources to conduct systematic regular inspections of claims. However, where an officer observes breaches of the conditions of a mineral opal claim the matter is dealt with in the following manner:-the holder is informed of the breach and advised to fix the problem within a reasonable period. If the problem is not fixed then cancellation action may be commenced.If cancellation is commenced, the holder is informed that it is proposed to cancel the opal claim and given a period of 21 days in which to make representations as to why the opal claim should not be cancelled.
Opals-black Opal-crystal opals-semi-black opals-grey opals claim in Lightning Ridge NSW Australia
Any representations made by the holder are given due consideration by the Mining Registrar and a senior officer from the Sydney Head Office prior to a final determination being made.
The holder is notified in writing of the decision of the Mining Registrar.If the decision is to cancel the opal claim, the holder is informed of the right to apply to the Warden’s Court for a review of the decision.
Some breaches of claim conditions are fixable and need not lead to the cancellation of a opal & black opal-crystal opals-semi-black opals-grey opals claim claim. However, for others such as the working requirement, “Ratting”, breaching the building guidelines or repeated breaches relating to dogs cancellation may be inevitable.