Prosecution over Illegal Opal Prospecting
February 24, 2004An experienced opal miner from Lightning Ridge has been prosecuted for illegally prospecting on Crown Land in the State's famous opal fields.
The NSW Department of Mineral Resources made the prosecution under Section 5 of the Mining Act 1992. According to the Director General of the Department, Alan Coutts, such activities will not be tolerated.
"We have a tough prosecution policy and we are determined to stamp out illegal prospecting and mining, in a community that derives most of its wealth from the legal operation of opal mining.
The offence occurred on the Lightning Ridge Opal Fields in June 2003.
The miner, who had been working on the opal fields for more than 20 years, had drilled 15 bore holes with a 9 inch prospecting drill and at the time held no title over the Crown land where he was prospecting.
"The Department has shown that it is prepared to prosecute and will continue to prosecute those miners who for whatever reason, choose to operate outside mining legislation," said Mr Coutts.
In the Lightning Ridge local court Chief Mining Warden, John Bailey acting as a local magistrate fined the opal miner $2,500, along with $500 professional costs and $61 court costs.
Source: NSW Dept. of Primary Industries