Opal Miner for a Night

Take your opal adventure to the next level with our most immersive experience yet. Become an opal miner for a night and you get a percentage of any opal we may find. Spend an evening in a real working opal mine in Coober Pedy, learning the tools, techniques and trade secrets that have been passed down through generations.

Duration:
Minimum 3 hours of on-site mining
plus travel and opal briefing

Rates:

Adult: $1000

Max group size:
6 (unless travelling together or a family group)

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What to Expect

Includes everything from The Experience:

Hunt for opal using real mining tools including a pick, jack pick and UV black light
Learn about our open cut mining method and how we prepare the site for digging
Experience what it’s like to work in an authentic open cut mine, with the site prepared in advance so your time is spent digging on the level and searching for real opal
Enjoy a genuine mining experience with the best possible chance of uncovering opal and seeing first-hand what makes this work so rewarding
The experience does not include taking home the opal found, although we always provide a special opal keepsake, whether it’s a small piece discovered that day or previously uncovered from the mine. Guests also have the option to purchase opal at a discounted rate
Kids are guaranteed to find and take home a small opal
Safety briefing and guidance included throughout the evening

Plus, exclusive to Opal Miner for a Night:

Extended mining time with a minimum of 3 hours underground activity
Detailed opal presentation showing rough, cleaned, cut and polished opal, jewellery and opalised fossils
Hands-on use of additional tools, including jackhammers
Learn to identify indicators and what we look for when chasing opal-bearing ground
Hear stories from the miners and gain a deeper insight into the history and lifestyle of Coober Pedy
Enjoy free unpowered camping at the mine site (subject to availability)
Smaller group sizes and more one-on-one time with the miners
Each participant receives 5% of any opal found during the session, paid as either opal or monetary value at the discretion of UAO, with reasonable payout time allowed

The Next Morning
Return to our opal cleaning and classing workshop the following morning to see what happens after the dig. Learn how opal is cleaned, sorted and valued using tools such as the tumbler, soda blaster and hand instruments. We demonstrate grading, assessing and cutting techniques and explain how we determine opal value. If a good parcel is found, you may join us as we visit local classers or buyers for valuation or sale. If not, we demonstrate the full process using recently found opal so you can still see every stage of the craft.

FAQ’s and Safety

Q: What should I wear.
A: The terrain and surface on a mine site can be rough and loose therefore enclosed shoes with good ankle support are required. The nights in Coober Pedy can be cold therefore long pants and a jumper are recommended.
Q: What Level of Fitness is required.
A: A moderate level of fitness is required because the mine site has loose and rough surfaces that can be a challenge to navigate on foot. A reminder this is a real working mine site.
Q: How safe is the mine site?
A: We prepare the site with safety being our priority. You will be located in a designated “Standby zone” with your host. This area is designated the safe zone and you must remain in that zone until advised by your hosts. You will be provide with clear safety glasses, ear protection, dust masks, hard hats and white light. We will be constantly evaluating the ground conditions and providing instructions. There is always an element or risk when on a mine site.
Q:Do we get to keep opal we find?
A: We want you to take home some Opal you found on your visit to Coober Pedy. Although all opal found on the night remains the property of Unearthed Australian Opal as the claim holder if we have some luck on the night we will share the luck with you. It will be at discretion on the night to allow participants to keep any opal found. Participants will be given the opportunity to purchase opal found on the night at a discounted rate.
Q: Is the experience tiring?
A: The level at which you participate is up to you. We will have chairs located in the Standby Zone for your comfort. That zone is in a safe area within good viewing distance of the excavator operating and the mine face. Digging with a pick and jack pick on the face and noodling can be tiring but you can choose how much you do.
Q: Can we take photos and videos?
A: Absolutely, we encourage you to take as many photos and videos of your experience but we would appreciate you tagging us in on social media posts.
Q:What is included?
A: All onsite equipment such as a headlamp, UV blacklight, hand pick and shared jack picks and bottled water.
Q:How do we get to the mine site?
A: You will be provided details on a meeting point and time. From there you will tag along to the mine site in your vehicle.
Q: Is the journey to the Mine site suitable for all vehicles?
A: The roads to the mine site will be suitable for both 4WD and 2WD vehicles
Q: Do we go underground during the experience?
A: The experience is on an Open Cut Minesite however depending on the site we are working at the time we may break into old underground tunnels which if deemed safe will be made available for exploration.
Q: Can we leave before the experience is finished.
A: The Opal fields are a hazardous are with many unmarked holes and mines and very few designated roads. It will be a the discretion of the hosts to allow early departure depending on current mine site status and exit route.

Booking Info

Minimum of 2 participants or $2000 total required for the experience to run
If minimum numbers are not met, the session may be cancelled and refunded
You can secure a Guaranteed Slot to ensure the experience goes ahead, ideal for one or two travellers
If more guests join later, we will refund the difference
The guarantee applies only to meeting the minimum booking requirement and does not cover cancellations due to weather or unforeseen events
In the event of a significant find, footage may be shared to promote the experience or live streamed. Participant release is included in the waiver