Resources
Mining Liaison
Information for miners and prospectors on the Lightning Ridge opal fields. Please read the important note below before contacting us.
Important: LRAOR is a Crown Land Manager, not a regulator
For claim renewals, new applications, objections and all statutory mining matters, you must contact Crown Lands NSW and the NSW Resources Regulator directly. LRAOR cannot process statutory applications and has no role in the approval or refusal of mineral claims, opal prospecting licences or mining leases.
LRAOR's Role on the Opal Fields
The Lightning Ridge Area Opal Reserve is a delegated Crown Land Manager under the Crown Land Management Act 2016 (NSW). Our role is to manage the Crown land that makes up the Reserve, including roads, tracks, access points, common infrastructure and community facilities across the opal fields.
We work alongside the mining community as a land manager, not above it. We share an interest in the long-term viability of the opal fields and the wellbeing of the people who live and work on them.
Our practical on-ground work includes maintaining roads and tracks, managing environmental programs, supporting access to Crown land, and liaising with government agencies on land management matters. We are not the right contact for statutory mining questions, see below for who to contact on those matters.
For Mining Matters, Contact
All statutory mining matters, claims, licences, leases, renewals, objections, compliance, are handled by the NSW Government agencies below.
Crown Lands NSW
For opal prospecting licences, Crown land tenure matters and land administration queries.
crownlands.nsw.gov.auNSW Resources Regulator
For mining leases, mineral claims, prospecting authorities, renewals, compliance and all resources regulation matters.
resourcesregulator.nsw.gov.auIndependent Review
An independent review of the Reserve's operations was conducted. For information about the review, including its findings and any outcomes, please contact us directly.
Contact: admin@lror.org
Camps on Mineral Claims
LRAOR is aware of camping and dwelling arrangements on mineral claims across the opal fields. This is a matter that involves both Crown land management and the conditions attached to mineral claims.
For information on the current policy position regarding camps and dwellings on mineral claims, contact the NSW Resources Regulator or Crown Lands NSW directly. They are the authoritative bodies for the conditions and obligations that apply to mineral claim holders.
Community Liaison
Roy Butler MP's office serves as a community liaison contact for the Lightning Ridge area. If you have concerns that span across multiple agencies or require parliamentary attention, the MP's office may be a useful point of contact.
Contact LRAOR
For land management matters on Crown land within the Reserve, roads, tracks, access, infrastructure, you can reach us at:
Please note: LRAOR cannot assist with statutory mining applications, claim renewals or regulatory matters. For those, contact Crown Lands NSW or the NSW Resources Regulator.
Questions about Crown land access or land management on the Reserve?
Contact us