On Tuesday, 24 October 2023, the Mining Amendment (Mineral Claims – Opal) Act 2023 came into law. The Act amended the Mining Act 1992 to validate affected mineral claims.
The Act:
- ensures that the conditions of the affected mineral claims can be enforced, including rehabilitation requirements, and compliance action can still be undertaken.
- ensures that money collected in relation to affected mineral claims is valid. This includes money paid to landholders as compensation under the Mining Act and fees, levies and duties.
- prevents legal claims arising against miners, landholders, the State and any other person in relation to the affected mineral claims.
The Department of Regional NSW has created a fact sheet to provide information of what these legislation changes mean for stakeholders. Read the Fact sheet - Mining Amendment (Mineral Claims - Opal) Act 2023 (PDF, 79.72 KB).
More information on the updated legislation can be found by visiting the Mineral claim application and renewal process page.
