opal mining white cliffs nsw

[grubstake]

Thanks Grubsteak and 20xwater very interesting and I now have a better understanding. I still think I will stay above ground but keep puttin up the pics.
Mackka

That's what I thought too, until last August when I visited an old mate who's mining for opals at Glengarry, to the west of Lightning Ridge. His equipment looked a good deal rougher than 20xwater's gear, but the temptation to see for myself what it was really like down the hole was strong enough to override my fears and I ventured down the shaft several times.

Having done so, I take my hat off to anyone who can toil away underground day in/day out (or year in/year out, in most cases), chasing that elusive flash of colour. It's hard, dirty, noisy, dangerous work, with no certainty of any reward at all, that makes metal detecting on the surface look like a walk in the park in comparison!

 

[Mackka]

Thanks for the encouragement mate but not for me but good luck and best wishes to all those that venture below.
Mackka

 

[20x]

latest pic of drive as of 1 hour ago..

this is the most efficient system of face hammering, taking advantage of fracturing the line of gravity..

I'm going to call this material 'opal tird' lol..

 

[Mackka]

Great photos mate and I can see a huge wall of beautifu l colours coming your way.
Cheers
Mackka

 

[20x]

just like gold, it does strange things to people, or should I just say "it turns up the volume of greed and selfishness that already exists"..

 

[Gilly47]

still watchin

 

[Upside]

What a great thread :Y:

 

[Gilly47]

Great thread it IS, when more than 3 pixs are posted I get tired from all the diggin

 

[deadpan]

Many thanks for this brilliant thread 20xwater. A great illustration as to what actually happens in a working mine. Hope that 'jackpot colour' ain't long in coming. Best, Tim

 

[Mackka]

Hey 20xwater, where are you mate, long time no contact?
Mackka

 

[Skip75]

Awesome pics and info. Opal is what started my interest in any kind of fossicking etc as a kid. Thanks for the share

 

[Squint]

So thread necro can be a good thing. Binge read this thread today from start to finish, so interesting. Let's hope Mr water is too busy finding opals and that's why the thread has been dormant.