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Purpose of an Exploration Licence

Minerals are the property of the Crown in South Australia, and access to land for exploration is gained through provisions of the Mining Act 1971 (Act) and Regulations under the Act. An Exploration Licence (EL) is the principal title issued for exploration in the state. An EL authorises the Licensee subject to the Act, Regulations and conditions of the Licence, to explore for all minerals other than extractive minerals (i.e. building construction materials). An EL excludes current mining tenements (mineral claims, mining leases and retention leases) and any other areas not available for exploration (i.e. National parks, some Commonwealth land, coastlines, etc.) (refer to SARIG).

Refer to the Departmental Guideline for more information on exploration licences in SA

Web Links

1:2M Mineral Exploration Licence map showing licences and restricted land (updated daily)

  Information sheets (updated weekly)
  ISM01 Current Mineral Exploration Licence Applications
  ISM02 Current Mineral Exploration Licences, including pending renewals
  ISM03 Current Mineral Exploration Licence holders (alphabetical)

  DEM Minerals web links
  General information about minerals
  Information sheets
  Regulatory guidelines
  Access to land
  Legislation relevant to mineral exploration and mining in South Australia
  Inspection of the Mining Register (including searches for registered claims, lease and licences)
  Schedule of Fees relevant to Mineral Exploration Licences
  Exploration Release Area Information

Select one of the following

Current EL Number

Renew an Exploration Licence (EL) in existence or applied for prior to 01/01/2021 that is at the end of its 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th year.

This renewal application pathway (renewal under s30A of the Mining Act 1971, version 2020) is required for ELs in existence or applied for prior to 01/01/2021 that are yet to reach the end of their 5th year (i.e. ELs at the end of their 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th year).

Select Next to continue to the SARIG application form.

Renew an Exploration Licence (EL) in existence or applied for prior to 01/01/2021 which is at the end of its 5th year (i.e. formerly a Subsequent Licence application), OR for an EL applied for and granted on or after 01/01/2021.

This renewal application pathway is required for ELs to be renewed under the amended Mining Act 1971 (version 1/1/2021) i.e.;
- For ELs in existence or applied for prior to 01/01/2021 that have reached the end of their 5th and final year (i.e. where a Subsequent EL application was previously required), or
- For ELs applied for and granted after 01/01/2021 that have reached the end of their current licence term.

Select the following link to continue to the Renewal Application Form (can also be found on the Department’s website).

Submit EL Expenditure Return

EL expenditure within a period is monitored through Expenditure Returns submitted to the Department. The expenditure return period has been prescribed by the Regulations to be 2 years, unless otherwise determined. Returns are due no later than 60 days after the anniversary of the licence (i.e. 2nd, 4th, 6th anniversary etc).

Select the following link to continue to the Expenditure Return Form (can also be found on the Department’s website).

Submit AEA Expenditure Return

AEA expenditure within a period is monitored through Expenditure Returns submitted to the Department. The expenditure return period has been prescribed by the Regulations to be 2 years, unless otherwise determined. Returns are due no later than 60 days after the anniversary of the AEA (i.e. 2nd, 4th, 6th anniversary etc).

Select the following link to continue to the AEA Expenditure Return Form (can also be found on the Department’s website).