Mulga Rush

Mulga Rush is an opal field located on the western side of the road opposite Dry Rush, near the newer workings towards Nobby Field and Lorne. It was discovered in 1918 by Jack Phillips and Walter Bradley.

Mining reached an average depth of 30 feet. The opal recovered was typically sandy, though small gem quality stones were found. Conditions were difficult, but the field produced enough colour for opal buyer Ernie Sherman to later describe it as producing “the best colours on the Lightning Ridge mineral field.” According to The Lightning Ridge Book by Stuart Lloyd, production totalled £2,500 by 1967. Bill de Boer (Bill Smeth) mined on the field, reportedly selling a single stone to Sherman for £32, 10s.

Article: Research by Russell Gawthorpe and Leisa Carney, edited by Russell Gawthorpe. LRHS research compiled by Len Cram and Barbara Moritz. Sources: The Lightning Ridge Book, Stuart Lloyd, 1967, p. 66; Lightning Ridge - The Home of the Black Opal: Unique to the World, Gan Bruce, 1983, p. 85; Discover Opals: Before and Beyond 2000 with Surface Indications, Stephen Aracic, 1996, p. 142.