Lucky numbers
from the stamping-block.

The only time a miner needs to use the stamping-block, is when he registers a new claim or if someone steals his claim mark out posts. I had my claim posts stolen but they did leave the metal tags on the ground where the posts were. How thoughtful of them.

When a miner has paid his claim registration and the paper work is finalized he is given four metal claim ID tags. These tags need to have his new claim number stamped on them.

Behind the Lightning Ridge Mineral Resources Office is a small shade cloth shelter. Under it, there is a chair and an odd shaped piece of 25mm flat steel plate that is used as an anvil. On the anvil is a hammer and number punches.

As the photo indicates these punches are well worn from many years of use. There would have been thousands of mineral claims had their numbers stamped here. 80% most likely produced nothing, 15% possibly produced opal and maybe 5% produced wages or much better.

stamping-block back to mining industry