Mine-Safety-Course Is
Saving Opal Miners Lives

Miners disputed the need for a Mine-Safety-Course. They saw it as a revenue-raising venture by The Department Of Mineral Resources. But they have had no choice in the matter as the Department of Mineral Resources made it compulsory by not renewing mineral claim registrations, if a miner did not complete the safety course.

The need for this course was the result of a fatal injury of an opal miner every year for twenty years. It was a dangerous cottage industry indeed. Most of these deaths were caused by avoidable accidents. Falling down uncovered mine shafts and mining too much opal level without supporting the roof were common causes of these fatalities.

All mines and quarries across NSW come under The NSW Mines Inspection Act. Both Coal and Metalliferous Mines have been policed by the Department of Mineral Resources to ensure these laws are adhered to. These laws were passed in parliament early this century because mining companies were ruthless in their disregard for miner's safety.

Lightning Ridge opal miners have, until recently, had no rules or laws governing their industry. The opal miner has been regulation free for many years. Just register your claim every year and mine as you please.

There is now a compulsory Mine Management Course that has to be completed by the end 2005. We will be fully qualified and totally responsible for our mineral claims. If not for these compulsory courses Mineral Resources may have been responsible and liable.

Its still the last frontier, but society is catching up.


Mine-Safety-Course back to mining industry