South Australia has four active opal mining fields, Andamooka, Coober Pedy, Lambina and Mintabie. South Australia is largest producer of opal in terms of volume, and produces the white opal or ‘milky’ type of opal.

The town of Coober Pedy, Australia produces more opal than anywhere else. Its culture has been thoroughly shaped by opal mining. Learn more about this colorful location and the methods used to hunt for precious opals.

Coober Pedy (/ ˈ k uː b ər ˈ p iː d i /) is a town in northern South Australia, 846 km (526 mi) north of Adelaide on the Stuart Highway. The town is sometimes referred to as the "opal capital of the world" because of the quantity of precious opals that are mined there.

The important opal mining areas in Australian opal production over the last century have been White Cliffs, The Queensland Fields, Lightning Ridge, Grewin & Glengarry, Coober Pedy, Andamooka, Mintabie and Lambina.

South Australia, by weight would produce most of Australia’s opal. Fields such Coober Pedy, Andamooka, Mintabie, and Lambina produce stunning White and Crystal Opals. Welcome to the serene world of opal mining in South Australia, where a relaxed ambiance blends seamlessly with captivating opal discoveries.

Sep 5, 2023 · Opal mining is big in three states in Australia: Queensland, New South Wales (NSW), and South Australia. White or milky-coloured opals are mined in South Australia, black opals in Lightning Ridge, NSW and boulder opals in Queensland.

Opal mining in Coober Pedy continues to this day, although some say it’s starting to run out. Opals mines at Mintabie and Lambina. Later, north of Coober Pedy toward Alice Springs, central Australia, the opal mines of Mintabie was discovered and became a major field in itself.

Jul 14, 2020 · The important opal mining specific areas in New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland (around the edges of the Great Artesian Basin). Lets see exactly where the world's best opals and different types are found.

May 8, 2018 · Today, Australia’s Opal production has decreased due to increased fuel costs, restrictions on the use of explosives in mining and an out of date and antiquated mining laws. The most important Opal mining fields are: Mintabie, Lambina, Lightning Ridge, …

May 8, 2018 · Australia has been the worlds number one source of quality opals for over 100 years. It is estimated that 95-97% of all Opals come from the Australian opal fields. Today there are huge deposits of opal mined in Ethiopia and even old Hungarian opal mines have re …