Lightning Ridge Miners' Association

05/03/2026

Dear Members,
The LRMA office will be closed on Friday, 6 March 2026.
The office will reopen on Monday, 9 March 2026.
We do apologise for the inconvenience.

18/02/2026

Dear Members,
The LRMA office will be closed on Thursday, 19 February 2026 and Friday, 20 February 2026. The office will reopen on Monday, 23 February 2026.

We do apologise for the inconvenience.

23/01/2026

Dear Members,

The LRMA office will be closed on Monday the 26th Jan for the Australia Day Public Holiday.

The LRMA office will be operating on reduced hours of 9am- 1pm from Tuesday 27th January until Friday 30th January due to staff shortage.

Normal hours will resume on Monday 2nd February.

19/12/2025

Dear Members,
The LRMA office will be closed from today, the 19 December 2025 for the holidays. We will re-open on Monday, the 12 January 2026
The LRMA Board and office staff would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

18/12/2025

The LRMA met with the Department of Mining Exploration and Geoscience (MEG) on Tuesday, 16 December 2025 to discuss the NSW Government’s response to the Review into the Mining Act.

Representing MEG was Daniel Summerhayes - Acting Executive Director of Assessments and Titles, Corinne Shields - Director Acting Director Assessments & Programs, Peter Ainsworth - Manager Projects, Small Scale Titles and Peter Bower - Manager Assessments and Projects – Small Scale Titles.

Representing Crown Lands was Sharoh Hawke - Director West and Fiona Sissian - Group Leader Property Management, West.

The LRMA was represented by President Sebastian Deisenberger, Directors Frederic Mallouk, Jason Stone, Darren McCarthy, Tim Jenner and Secretary Kavitha Barron.

The GGSMA was represented by President Ian (Marty Maxwell), Directors Ian Brew, Dallas Williams, Petar Borkovic and member Warwick Schofield.

Member of Parliament Roy Butler’s office was represented by John Clemens and Mel Manchee.

Topics discussed included but was not limited to sunset clauses, graticulated systems, onerous application process and forms, biosecurity training and the more contentious issues of the number of claims, cretaceous Ridgeland and the exclusion of black soil plains from the Lightning Ridge Mineral Claims District.

These discussions are ongoing and the LRMA will inform its members of the details of these issues in the coming week once written confirmation is received from MEG.

27/11/2025

Dear Members,

If any members would like a copy of the 24-25 Financials, they are now available.
Please contact the office on 02 6829 0427 to request a copy.

25/11/2025

Dear Members,

Just a reminder that this Saturday 29th November 2025 is our Annual General Meeting. Please make sure your membership is up to date.

We will be having a BBQ afterwards, with a visit from Santa Clauss.
If any members are bringing children we ask that you bring a wrapped gift for Santa to give to them when he gets there.

See you all Saturday!

18/11/2025

07/11/2025

The Government’s response to the Independent Review into the Statutory Framework for Small-Scale Titles was released this morning supporting 74 of the Review’s 81 recommendations to improve and strengthen the State’s Opal Industry.

The response includes an action plan focused on:
* improving the confidence and certainty for miners and landholders
* strengthening the framework to deliver better land rehabilitation outcomes and
* implementing a modern, digital-based approach for the administration of Opal mining.

Implementation of the action plan will occur in stages, with ongoing consultation across the sector.

The NSW Government’s response, answers to common questions and further information on the Independent Review itself is available on the Resources website
https://www.resources.nsw.gov.au/mining-and-exploration/opal-mining/independent-review

08/09/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19g5VuGitW/?mibextid=wwXIfr

15/07/2025

Dear Members,
The LRMA office will be closed for the day on Friday 18th July.
The office will be open again as normal on Monday 21st July.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

23/05/2025

Dear members,
The LRMA received the following in an email late last week about a compliance education campaign to be undertaken by the NSW Resources Regulator.

What is going on?
The NSW Resources Regulator is launching a high-visibility, compliance education campaign in Lightning Ridge from Monday 26 to Friday 30 May 2025 to support safe and sustainable opal mining. What this means is that Resources Regulator inspectors will be out in the field to provide opportunity for miners to meet inspectors and ask questions and receive guidance, support and information around the safety and environmental responsibilities of miners. The campaign forms part of the Regulator’s January-June 2025 Compliance Priorities and aims to raise awareness of key safety and environmental responsibilities across the sector.

What is the campaign targeting
Inspectors will be visiting mineral claims across Lightning Ridge to provide on-the-ground guidance, support and information. The campaign will focus on key compliance and safety topics, including:
person rising hoists (winding systems)
working in and around shafts
puddling tank operations
topsoil and mullock management
rehabilitation of expired and cancelled mineral claims; and
open cut and trenching operations.

Do mineral claim holder need to attend their claims?
There is no obligation for miners to attend their mineral claims or be in the field. However, if they are, Resources Regulator inspectors may visit their claim site and be available to answer any questions you may have.
Titleholders and operators are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to speak with inspectors, ask questions and strengthen their understanding of best practices, risk prevention and compliance obligations.

Why does this matter?
Understanding your legal obligations under the Mining Act 1992 and Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Act 2013 is essential, not just to meet regulatory requirements, but to help protect workers, landholders and the environment.

Will there be any enforcement action?
This campaign is focussed on education, however, should Inspectors note any matters of significant concern, further action may be taken commensurate to the risk associated with the matter or non-compliance.

Titleholders with email contacts will be notified this evening and may notice an increased presence of Inspectors during this time, as they visit mineral claims to provide guidance on safety, environmental management and legal responsibilities.