Regional context
The basin provides the regional setting. Project decisions depend on the geology and practical conditions at individual prospecting sites.
Regional referenceDrilling projects
Coober Pedy.
Arckaringa Basin.
Archon Mining manages individual opal exploration and drilling projects around Coober Pedy. Each program has a defined scope, participating investors and its own reporting and close-out.
Local
Site selection informed by Coober Pedy field experience.
Drill
Defined prospecting programs to investigate selected areas.
2026
October drilling round planned to advance project knowledge.
Opal
Findings assessed before further extraction is considered.
Regional setting
Exploring the Coober Pedy opal fields.
Our Arckaringa Basin projects focus on selected areas around Coober Pedy. Each drilling program investigates specific sites; it is not a claim over the wider basin or a guarantee of an opal discovery.
Coober Pedy
Coober Pedy is recognised globally for gem-quality opal and provides the project’s practical field environment.
Location referenceExploration first
Drilling and inspection test whether a site warrants further work. Excavation is considered only after the findings and likely costs have been assessed.
Project location
Coober Pedy region, northern South Australia
Each project defines its own prospecting area within the Coober Pedy region. Locations and field arrangements vary between programs.
Site selection
Choosing where to investigate.
Site selection combines local mining experience, geological information and observations from previous workings. These inform a drilling decision; they cannot confirm what lies underground.
- Review geological maps, research and known opal field information.
- Consider exposed rock layers and material from previous workings.
- Use visual inspection, including UV-assisted inspection where appropriate, to investigate possible indicators.
- Plan prospecting holes around the selected area, access and project budget.
Drilling and inspection
Follow the material. Assess the evidence.
The drilling crew brings material to the surface for sorting and inspection. Experienced miners examine potential signs of potch and precious opal, considering the rock layers and context of each find.
- Inspect the material extracted from each prospecting hole.
- Record hole locations, observations and potential finds.
- Assess quality, depth, access and the likely cost of any further work.
- Close out the program or consider a further phase under the project terms.
Planned program
Planned fieldwork: October 2026.
A further drilling program is planned for October 2026. Timing and scope remain subject to final project arrangements and field conditions. Contact Archon Mining for current project information.
Plan
Define field priorities, drilling targets, and data capture requirements before mobilisation.
Execute
Run site activity with disciplined controls, clear field records, and practical operating feedback.
Improve
Use findings to assess the next step and inform future site selection and inspection work.
The project pathway
From site selection to findings.
Each project moves through a defined field program. Findings determine whether it closes out or whether further work is proposed.
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01
Select the area
Use regional knowledge, previous field observations and geological information to select areas for investigation.
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02
Drill and inspect
Coordinate drilling, sort extracted material and inspect potential signs of potch or precious opal.
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03
Assess the findings
Consider the quality and extent of any find, practical extraction needs and commercial viability.
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04
Report and close out
Report findings to project investors. Close the project or present a separate proposal for further work where warranted.
Understanding a find
An indicator is a starting point.
Not every find justifies excavation. The material must be assessed in context, alongside the practical cost of recovering it.
Potch
Common opal without the play of colour associated with precious opal. It can be useful exploration information, but does not establish that a commercial deposit of precious opal is present.
Traces of precious opal
A coloured fragment warrants closer inspection. It does not establish how much material is present, its overall quality or whether extraction would be economical.
A potential commercial find
The team assesses the apparent quality and extent of the material, depth, access and extraction costs before proposing further work. Commercial success remains uncertain.
Previous fieldwork
Observations from earlier projects.
The following finds were documented in our 2024 project material. They are historical field observations, not statements of project profitability or indications of future returns.
Project 2021/1
Potch from drilling.
Potch recovered during the program was recorded as an example of the material encountered while prospecting.
Project 2022/1
Coloured opal fragments.
Small coloured opal fragments were documented. Finding fragments alone does not demonstrate a commercially viable deposit.
Project 2022/2
Fossilised material.
Fossilised and opalised clam shells were recorded from Hole 19, illustrating another type of material encountered in the field.
Field roles documented for the 2024 program
Experience at the drill site.
Robin Moore was identified as the mining operations manager responsible for engaging and overseeing the drilling team, with Coober Pedy opal mining experience dating to 1978 and earlier experience at White Cliffs.
Keith Doman was identified as providing on-site oversight and assisting with drilling operations, material sorting and progress reporting.
These are historical project roles. Crew appointments and responsibilities are confirmed for each program.
Operations gallery
From the field.
A closer look at field conditions, equipment, mine cuts and geological surfaces from the project area.
