Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos commissioned a review following the discovery of 3,343 mineral claims in Lightning Ridge and White Cliffs impacted by invalid decisions.
The review was completed by former Land and Environment Court Judge and NSW Attorney General, Terry Sheahan AO. Key figures in the opal trade have criticised the recommendations, suggesting they’ll cripple an already struggling industry.
“A fight between farmers and opal miners is ramping up in outback New South Wales with miners saying new rules proposed for their industry will send them broke,” reports Stephanie Smail for the ABC.
“An independent review of the state's opal mining industry wants the number of claims restricted and changes to the use of old underground mines.”
The report continues: “Farmers are calling for more compensation, arguing miners are damaging their properties and disrupting their work. But miners working at Lightning Ridge are worried their industry and others that rely on it won't survive the changes.”
Similar concerns about the future of the trade were raised in Queensland in April of the past year following the acquisition of a critical cattle station.
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