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Opal Mining

From 1894 onwards, there has always been opal mining activity in the region of Opalton.
The area inside the Opalton district historically has always been the most active boulder opal mining ground across the state.
Today it is still the most active boulder opal mining area across the state, with new mining operations investing in the region last year.
We are seeing new investors with modern equipment investing in opal mining. The Communities of Winton, Longreach, Barcaldine, Blackall, Jundah, Quilpie and others, all have an economic flow on effect from small-scale opal mining activity.
There is clear evidence on the opal fields of Opalton that the majority of all mining activity is mainly on and around old workings that have been there for the last 100 years.
The reason for mining activity around the old workings is that with modern mining equipment and increased geological knowledge, these areas of interest are being opened up more easily and quickly exposing extensions to the old workings.