The Minns Labor Government welcomes the Commonwealth decision to allow opal mining to continue at White Cliffs, securing local jobs, businesses and the future of the town's iconic industry.
The Commonwealth Attorney General Michelle Rowland has made the Native Title (Approved Opal or Gem Mining Area - White Cliffs, New South Wales) Determination 2026, which will allow mineral claims in the town's main mining field to be granted and renewed.
Opal mining has been at the heart of the White Cliffs community since the late 1800s and remains a major source of employment, income and tourism for the region.
The declaration of the Mineral Claims District is an important step to support ongoing opal mining activities at White Cliffs, within the Barkandji People native title determination area.
The Minns Labor Government has worked closely with the Barkandji Registered Native Title Aboriginal Corporation to facilitate the coexistence of opal mining activities and native title rights and interests.
The Commonwealth Government has now made the determination for the Main Field at White Cliffs, enabling the granting and renewal of mineral claims.
This decision provides certainty and opportunities for the opal mining industry in NSW and will deliver ongoing economic and social benefits for the community through local jobs, income and tourism.
NSW Resources staff will travel to White Cliffs to provide further guidance and in-person support to miners and landholders as mining activity resumes in the area.
The Government will continue to work with the Barkandji people, miners and the White Cliffs community to ensure the town's opal industry remains strong, sustainable and respectful of cultural heritage into the future.
Attributable to Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos:
"We understand how important opal mining is to the White Cliffs community. This determination provides long-needed certainty for White Cliffs and supports an industry that has supported the community for more than a century.
"White Cliffs is one of only two opal mining districts in NSW and produces some the rarest types of opal in the world. This decision protects local jobs, strengthens tourism and supports the long-term future of the community.
"I thank the Commonwealth Attorney-General for working with the Minns Labor Government and the Barkandji people to deliver an outcome that gives certainty to miners, while recognising the rights of native title holders.
"This outcome reflects close collaboration with the Barkandji people and demonstrates that native title holders and regional industries can work together to deliver lasting benefits."
Attributable to Attorney General Michael Daley:
"This outcome protects the native title rights and interests of the Barkandji people while securing opal mining jobs for tomorrow. I thank the Barkandji people, White Cliffs community and Member for Barwon Roy Butler for working together to reach this positive outcome."
Attributable to Member for Barwon, Roy Butler
"This determination has been a long time coming for the people of White Cliffs and I thank them for their patience during this complex process. This decision will allow the town to have a future that is prosperous."
