The new year will no doubt bring similar issues that always seem to face the industry - access to land, rehabilitation, compensation, roads, the mining title system, management of the opal fields and for some, access to water.

The LRMA will continue to represent opal miners and prospectors to the best of our ability and look forward to the continuing support of our members.

We now have 600 members but more are needed to increase our lobbying power.

Alec Ramsland retires

Alec Ramsland, who has been with the Department of Mineral Resources for 42 years, retired last week.

Alec for many years was in charge of the Mining Titles branch and has been a great champion of the opal mining industry and Lightning Ridge.

His depth of knowledge and attention to detail will be sorely missed.

TAFE opal mining course

The Western Institute of TAFE has developed a course in mining studies, specifically for the opal mining industry at Lightning Ridge.

TAFE is initially offering four main subjects but if enough interest is shown the course will eventually be expanded and become a certificate course during the next two years.

Opal mining studies will start in March and the subjects on offer include elementary survey techniques; machinery appreciation; geology; underground mining and various machinery operations to satisfy WorkCover.

If you know of anyone who may be interested please pass on this information as sufficient numbers will be needed to keep the course going and expanding.

It is particularly important for the younger members of the community to have that piece of paper to prove their skills.

Also much of the knowledge learned in the Mining Studies course will be transferable to the mining of other minerals, which will help with finding a job outside the opal mining industry

And last but not least this course will certainly help promote more efficient production techniques.