The Glengarry Grawin Sheepyard Miner's Association is facing the cancellation of their mining title for the Mulga waste dump unless an effective means of combating illegal 'noodling' can be found.
"Unless we can come up with something, I would presume that's what's going to happen," a representative from the GGSMA said.
Cancellation of the mining title on the dump would mean miners in the Glengarry, Grawin and Sheepyard district would have no place to dump their refuse dirt.
The GGSMA is holding a public meeting on November 28 to discuss the issue and explain the reasons behind the closure.
The representative said it was not only illegal noodling that was the problem, it was also the new mining laws.
"There are actually two issues in it now, there is the issue of liability of illegal noodlers, and we also can't see a way around the new OH and S (Occupational, Health and Safety) rules."
Police are stepping up action against illegal ‘noodling' on opal mullock dumps in Lightning Ridge after it was found people were disregarding the ban, creating major safety issues.
The NSW Department of Mineral Resources has resolved to take firm action to address this problem.
"At its October meeting, the Lightning Ridge Mining Board endorsed prosecution action against illegal "noodlers" on the Mulga opal mullock dump near Grawin" the department's director-general Alan Coutts said.
Local police and the GGSMA have told how illegal ‘noodling' on the mulga dump presented grave safety risks to the noodlers and exposed the GGSMA and others to potential liability, should any accidents occur.
"Despite previous warnings by the police and the erection of signs prohibiting noodling on this mining title, noodlers have continued to recklessly and illegally operate at this site," Mr Coutts said.
"These people are exposing themselves to potential serious accidents and injuries by freely moving among trucks as they tip mullock onto the dump. This is a major safety issue, as the title holder is responsible for ensuring public safety on the claim area, which clearly cannot be achieved at present.
"The available options are either to effectively stop illegal noodling on the Mulga dump and other mullock dumps held under a mining title, or to close the dumps - which would effectively bring opal mining to a halt in the Grawin Glengarry area.
"The police at Lightning Ridge have now been asked to start a full scale operation to arrest noodlers, who are in breach of the Mining Act at the mulga dump".
Penalty provisions under the Mining Act 1992 apply to individuals found committing a mining related offence.
Those found trespassing could face a $5500 fine or six months imprisonment.
"These people are not only trespassing on a mining title, they are potentially removing valuable opal illegally.
"Most importantly they are presenting an unacceptable, ongoing safety risk."
The public meeting will be held at the Grawin Social Club at 9am on November 28.
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