Archon Mining

16/07/2026

This is where the search begins. ⛏️

Long before anyone finds opal, exploration starts with testing the ground.

Every drill hole is an attempt to answer a question:

What's beneath us?

The material coming out of the hole helps build a picture of the geology below the surface and provides clues about where to focus future exploration.

Some holes are exciting.

Some are disappointing.

All of them teach us something.

That's the reality of exploration and one of the reasons every project is a journey into the unknown.

12/07/2026

Most people would walk straight past this. 🔦

That's one of the things that makes opal exploration so interesting.

Sometimes the clues are obvious. Sometimes they're hidden in plain sight.

When searching the opal fields at night, a UV light can reveal details that are easy to miss during the day.

The trick isn't just finding something unusual. It's knowing what you're looking at when you do.

That's why every trip to Coober Pedy is a mix of exploration, learning, and a little bit of luck.

The more time you spend on the fields, the more you start noticing things that once seemed invisible.

06/07/2026

Most people will never see this.

Hidden beneath the South Australian outback are thousands of old shafts, tunnels, and workings created during more than a century of opal mining.

Every one of them has a story.

Some led to incredible discoveries.

Some never produced a single piece of precious opal.

And some still hold clues waiting to be uncovered.

This is one of the things that makes Coober Pedy such a fascinating place.

There's an entire world beneath the surface that few people ever experience.

Over the coming months we'll be getting ready for our next exploration project and sharing more of what life on the opal fields is really like.

25/06/2026

Most people only see the opal once it's been cut and polished.

What they don't see are the long days spent researching ground, planning programs, drilling test holes, inspecting samples, maintaining machinery, and making decisions with incomplete information.

This photo was taken while preparing for our next investor-funded exploration project in Coober Pedy.

There are no guarantees in exploration.

Some projects uncover precious opal.
Some uncover potch.
Some uncover fossils.
Some uncover nothing at all.

But every project generates knowledge, data, and lessons that help guide the next decision.

That's the reality of exploration, and it's a journey we're committed to documenting openly.

If you're interested in opal mining, exploration, geology, technology, or seeing what really happens behind the scenes in Coober Pedy, follow along.

22/06/2026

This is what opal exploration actually looks like. ⛏️

▪️Dust.
▪️Heat.
▪️Machinery.
▪️Long days in the outback.
▪️And a lot of curiosity about what's hiding beneath the ground.

Most people only ever see the opal once it's been found. But the journey to get there is where the real story happens.

Every drill hole, every geological clue, every decision helps build a better understanding of the ground we're exploring.

In a few months we'll be heading back to Coober Pedy for our next project, and we'll be bringing everyone along for the journey.

Whether we find precious opal, fossils, interesting geology, or simply valuable exploration data, we'll be sharing it all.

That's the reality of exploration, and that's what makes it exciting.

21/06/2026

Not all opal looks like the polished gemstones you see in jewelry stores. ⛏️

This is rough opal, much closer to how it appears when it's first discovered in the ground.

One of the things we love about exploration is that every find is different.

Some pieces show bright color immediately.

Some need a closer look.

Some turn out to be common opal, known as potch.

And some become incredible gemstones.

That's part of the excitement. You never quite know what the next discovery will reveal!

14/05/2026

Great news for White Cliffs!

The Commonwealth has finally ruled to allow opal mining to happen again in the main opal field at White Cliffs.
This determination has been a long time coming for the people of White Cliffs and I thank them for their patience, while government entities and the Barkindji Native Title group navigated a complex web of bureaucratic hurdles. This decision will allow the town of White Cliffs to have a future that is prosperous.
The Government say they will continue to work with the Barkandji people, miners and the White Cliffs community to ensure the town’s opal industry remains strong, sustainable and respectful of cultural heritage into the future.
There is a 15 day period where the decision can be challenged and overturned. We will let you know what happens.

12/12/2025

Praying everyone is safe and ok.🙏

AT 00:2:46AM ON FRIDAY MORNING, the Coober Pedy Mine Rescue Squad and Coober Pedy CFS responded to a call at Larkins Folly Opal Field, where it was reported "Man down mine shaft".
No official report has been issued at this stage.

12/12/2025

OpalAI just got a fresh new look! 🔍✨ Same image… completely upgraded experience.

We’ve rolled out a cleaner UI with updated buttons, sharper colours, better positioning, and a more modern workflow across the whole OpalAI app. The goal? Make it faster and easier to identify opal out in the field - whether you’re above ground or underground.

Old vs New shown below 👇 Let us know what you think of the updated interface!

11/12/2025

Another day in the trench chasing color. Most people only ever see the final stones - not the sweat, dust, and stubborn walls you have to fight through to find them.

This ground has been hard going, but every shovel, every pick strike, and every cloud of dirt gets us one step closer to the next pocket.

No shortcuts out here (well maybe some AI!). Just work, patience, and a bit of hope. 🔨💎