Australian opal course could be cut

Updated July 6, 2009 11:22:48

The Australian opal mining town of Coober Pedy is suffering due to the financial crisis, with fears a unique gemstone cutting course may be facing an end.

Coober Pedy is the largest opal mining area in the world and the only place in Australia where people can come to formally study the opal mining trade in a tertiary course. The locals fear that the end of the course could see the disappearance of opal cutting skills in Australia altogether.

Presenter: Kim Robertson
Speakers: Stuart Jackson, Opal cutter; John Dunstan, opal miner; Boro Rapaic, Opal Industry Alliance;