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Introduction: |
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Bulldozer starting an open-cut mine |
Opal Mining:
Opal mining is still the dominant industry for the population of around 200, and opal miners work their claims either on the Mintabie precious Stones Field or on nearby Lambina Station. As in many other parts of South Australia, Aborigines were reportedly the first people to find opal at Mintabie. They sold black opal at Coober Pedy during the first world war but it was many years before miners braved the harsh conditions to mine the area. The first miners to work in Mintabie found the sandstone too hard to successfully mine. It was not until 1976, when large machinery was introduced, that the potential of Mintabie was fully realized and the fledgling township was established. Today, most mining is done by the open cut method. Caterpillar D9's or Komatsu 355's rip the sandstone to a depth of about 300mm at a time, then push the loosened sandstone away, while spotters continually check for signs of opal. |
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Every opal field in Australia is unique, with a different type of host rock and different techniques used to mine the opal found. In Mintabie, although the bulldozer is the most thorough way of mining a claim and the method preferred by most miners, some mining is still done underground, mostly using either skid steer loaders (Bobcats), self tipping hoists or blowers (a type of giant vacuum cleaner), although wheelbarrows and yorke hoists have also been successfully used. Mintabie sandstone, the host rock, is relatively hard and when mining underground, electric drills are used to drill holes in the mine face, which are then filled with explosives and blasted. Most claims on the Precious Stones Field measure 100m x 50m and while some yield nothing, others produce opal worth many millions of dollars. This contrast in production of a claim is also evident in the value of opal found. Low grade opal (called potch and colour) may only be worth $2 per troy ounce while opal occurring immediately adjacent may be worth up to $10,000 or $12,000 per ounce. Opal found in Mintabie, is almost always sold "in the rough", meaning it is cleaned but not polished before being sold. Mintabie is unique in that the opal field and the township are located on freehold Aboriginal land. Consequently many Aboriginal people visit Mintabie either to shop or to noodle the mine tailings (searching for opal missed by miners). Check out the Mintabie Opal Mining Guide for a complete explanation of mining methods and practices in Mintabie.
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Services: One example of the community's willingness to pitch in is evident in the new airstrip. Because the old airstrip needed upgrading and was in the centre of the opal field, the townspeople decided to build a new one. Equipment, time, labour and materials were donated and a first class airstrip was built for a fraction of the cost of neighboring strips. The airstrip is crucial for the health needs of Mintabie, as the Royal Flying Doctor Service regularly comes to town to attend health clinics. |
Mintabie Airstrip |
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Mintabie Health Clinic |
Over the years Mintabie has built itself into a self reliant small town. A Health Clinic run by the Uniting Church's Frontier Services together with the Royal Flying Doctor Service provides more than adequate health cover. Clinic sisters are on call 24 hours per day, and many residents believe the service provided by the Mintabie clinic to be better than those available in the city. |
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Four General Stores and a Telecentre / Post Office Agency provide most of the town's and visitor's needs and as in many other outback towns Mintabie's hotel is an important part of the lifestyle. The hotel hosts such functions as Australia day, the Anzac day breakfast, Croatia day and Melbourne Cup fashion day. |
Mintabie Hotel |
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Mintabie Area School |
The Mintabie Area School is a modern well equipped school. The school caters to students from reception through year 12, from both Mintabie and the nearby Marla communities. |
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The Mintabie Miners Progress Association also offers community entertainment and organizes many social events during the year. These functions help raise funds for essential services such as roads, rubbish removal and the water supply. They also supply TV and radio transmission to the community. SES(State Emergency Services) and CFS(Country Fire Service) are also active in the town and have responsibility for a large area around Mintabie including the busy Stuart Highway. |
Mintabie Community Hall & SES/CFS Headquarters |
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Mintabie is part of the true outback. It is only 180 km south of the Northern Territory border and approx 300 km. by road north of Coober Pedy. The climate is fairly harsh at times with temperatures ranging from below zero to the high 40s. There is no grid power and each dwelling normally has its own power supply. Any local will tell you, however, that the lifestyle is the great attraction. Mintabie is a place where you can meet real people and be your own boss. It is a place where, if you work hard enough there is always a chance that your claim will be the million dollar one. |
Mintabie Miners Progress Association Ltd. 2000 - 2006 For information about this site
