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Author Topic: What's happening at lightning ridge  (Read 10347 times)

slippery eel

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What's happening at lightning ridge
« on: March 28, 2021, 01:37:38 PM »
Have heard that they have banned fossicking at the two big tailings heaps at grawin. This was the only serious fossicking place in the area. If true it would stop us and many others from going to lightning ridge.

dan1000

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Re: What's happening at lightning ridge
« Reply #1 on: March 30, 2021, 09:05:34 PM »
Anyone have information on this?? I was planning my first ever trip out there for August, so if that's the case I'll unfortunately have to change my plans  :-[

Jimnyjerry

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Re: What's happening at lightning ridge
« Reply #2 on: March 31, 2021, 11:20:14 AM »
too many people have been driving there vehicles up onto the active dumps and getting in the way of dump trucks so the rules about the dumps are being enforced now see https://www.facebook.com/Digalot-Opal-Mining-Co-1379016602114993/ 

I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once.

slippery eel

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Re: What's happening at lightning ridge
« Reply #3 on: March 31, 2021, 01:32:08 PM »
Many thanks for the info no reason for us to return to the ridge will try white cliffs.

dan1000

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Re: What's happening at lightning ridge
« Reply #4 on: April 01, 2021, 06:34:31 AM »
Well that's a bit of a kick in the guts! I was really looking forward to getting out there.. bugger!!
I might have to try white cliffs as well then

dom105

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Re: What's happening at lightning ridge
« Reply #5 on: April 03, 2021, 09:24:09 AM »
That's a real shame, half the reason of driving all the way out to Grawin was to fosssick on those heaps, the other half of course was the 'pub in the scrub' or the 'Glengarie Hilton'.
We've taken many a new fossicker there and they've usually found something.
Another example of the majority being stuffed by a few thoughtless few.
I wouldn't write off LIghtning Ridge entirely though, as there are other places to fossick at the Ridge.

MakkyBrown

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Re: What's happening at lightning ridge
« Reply #6 on: April 03, 2021, 09:56:08 AM »
That's a real shame, half the reason of driving all the way out to Grawin was to fosssick on those heaps, the other half of course was the 'pub in the scrub' or the 'Glengarie Hilton'.
We've taken many a new fossicker there and they've usually found something.
Another example of the majority being stuffed by a few thoughtless few.
I wouldn't write off LIghtning Ridge entirely though, as there are other places to fossick at the Ridge.
It's now not necessarily the thoughtless few but also just a result of large numbers of people causing issues. I think facebook is indirectly responsible for many spots being over run or closed.
MB

dom105

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Re: What's happening at lightning ridge
« Reply #7 on: April 03, 2021, 10:51:27 AM »
Yes MakkyB
Unfortunately you're right, but it's also our fault for handing out that information, willy nilly. I know you try to help everyone but how do you differentiate between the good and not so good. Personally I think it's a shame, but from now on I'll be thinking about it and perhaps only handing out information to people I know or come highly recommended.

dan1000

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Re: What's happening at lightning ridge
« Reply #8 on: April 03, 2021, 04:26:23 PM »
Hey Dom,

Where else is there to fossick in the Ridge? From everything I'd seen the grawin dumps were the only place you could get away with it, as virtually every other parcel of land up there is under lease. Any advice would be fantastic, and very much appreciated!
I've wanted to get up there for years to try and find some opal, and to have that rug swept out from under me a few months before I was finally able to do it was really rough I'm not going to lie!
 Cheers
Dan

dom105

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Re: What's happening at lightning ridge
« Reply #9 on: April 03, 2021, 08:35:03 PM »
Hi Dan
Firstly I'd start at the information centre in the main street of Lightning Ridge they know the latest news (0268291670). They also have maps of the area.
I only know one person in the Grawin area and he's not working his mine at present, so no new mullock heaps to go through.
If I've wanted to fossick (specking) I've asked the lessee if it's ok to go on his lease (I know a few people at 3 and 4 mile areas), however I also have fossicked on some of the dirt roads as council sometimes uses discarded opal dirt to patch the roads.
Actually I've got to go up in early June so I can check the lay of the land for you if you like.
White cliffs is of course an option, however you still have to keep off all leased areas unless you have permission.

dan1000

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Re: What's happening at lightning ridge
« Reply #10 on: April 03, 2021, 09:17:22 PM »
Hey Dom;

Thanks heaps for that info! I'd be very keen to hear how you up there in June, but I'll be sure to give the information centre a buzz and see what they might be able to recommend.

I had considered White Cliffs as a fall back, but I've just always had my heart set on a trip to the Ridge to try and noodle up some of that fabled Lightning Ridge opal, so it's absolutely my preference if it's going to be possible!

Thanks again Dom, very helpful and I am very much looking forward to hearing how you go in June!

Cheers
Dan

dom105

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Re: What's happening at lightning ridge
« Reply #11 on: April 04, 2021, 08:28:04 PM »
Hi Dan
Keeping in mind that I wont be getting back from LIghtning Ridge until towards the end of June, you may want to rethink your location for this years opal fossicking extravaganza. Besides White Cliffs there are numerous places to find opal with Quilpie, Winton, Opalton, Yowah, Toompine, Kyabra-Eromanga, Cooper Pedy and Andamooka to name a few.
https://i2.wp.com/tvblackbox.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/01-David-Darby_Isaac-Andreou_Chris-Daff-Sofia-Andreou-with-1.2-million-of-Yowah-nut-opal-scaled-e1616916349611.jpg?fit=2560%2C1440&ssl=1
This was a find at Yowah a little while ago.
Good luck.
« Last Edit: February 17, 2024, 02:11:46 PM by Jimnyjerry »

dan1000

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Re: What's happening at lightning ridge
« Reply #12 on: April 05, 2021, 07:32:15 AM »
Hey Dom,

Thanks for that info too! Some of those names have come up in my readings, but some are new to me so I'll be sure to do some more research!

I'm not planning my trip until the second week of August though, so I'll still have plenty of time left to come up with a plan of attack! It'll be two weeks off work, a week of driving out there and finding opal (hopefully), then a week of driving back vis Inverell and GI for sapphire (hopefully).

Cheers,
Dan

 

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