Finding Black Opal in Lightning Ridge | Are Millions Hiding in Plain Sight? | Opal Intelligence

Opal Intelligence | Experience · Insight · Perspective

Could This Be a Million Dollar Pillar?

You’re 70 feet underground in a Lightning Ridge Opal mine, following colour through ground that, until recently, had given you nothing.

Now you’ve found Opal. Gem grade Opal. The adrenaline kicks in, along with the anticipation and the nerves. You want to see how far the colour lasts.

Nothing is guaranteed. But with every bit of ground you expose, you’re looking for more.

As the working opens up, the distance between supports becomes another thing you have to consider.

There’s only so much time in the day. Equipment breaks down. Supplies need replacing. You might need more props before the work can continue.

Do you stop chasing the colour and spend the time getting that area properly assessed and supported? Have you got what you need on hand, or does that mean another trip, more expense and another day before you can get back onto the Opal?

Or do you leave that section supported and come back to it later?

And if you do, will you ever get back to it?

You’ve seen colour. You’ve recovered gem grade Opal. You know what this ground has already produced, but you haven’t seen enough to know what remains.

It could taper out a few centimetres further in. It could open into something far better.

Now imagine walking through those workings later. You see a pillar. Would you notice the indication that made the previous miner stop and look? Would you wonder whether the pocket had finished, or whether the digging had simply stopped?

Pillars help support the mine, but they can also contain Opal. Following that opportunity requires proper assessment of the ground and its support. The possibility of a valuable discovery does not make it safe to pursue.

A collapse is a real risk, with consequences far beyond losing access to the Opal. Underground rockfalls have sadly cost lives, leaving families and communities to carry that loss. No stone is worth someone not coming home.

The pillar in this footage was eventually removed and did yield beautiful Opal. This claim is now closed and no longer safe to enter.

Was it a million dollar pillar? We’re not putting that value on it. But how much Opal remains in ground that miners never returned to?

Put yourself there. You’re on colour, the day hasn’t gone to plan, and continuing means more time, supplies and expense.

Do you commit to the extra work, or leave it for another day?

Opal Intelligence

Experience | Insight | Perspective

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