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About ERAs
An expired, fully surrendered or cancelled mineral exploration licence area may be released to industry as an 'exploration release area (ERA)'.
Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 29(1a) of the Mining Act 1971 that the areas shown in the tables below are released.
Note that the Minister for Mineral Resources may also, at various times to be notified, consider exploration licence applications over areas previously held by the Department (e.g. Mining Act Section 15 areas). Should this occur the exploration release areas will be listed here.
A map of South Australia showing the exploration release areas is available via the South Australian Resources Information Gateway (SARIG)
Submitting applications
Applications may be submitted during the application week by completing and lodging the application online, or downloading and completing a PDF or editable word document.
Completing and lodging applications online
The ERA application wizard allows users to apply and lodge an ERA application using a smart pre-populated online form. This is accessed via SARIG.
Downloading application forms
You can also download and complete an Application for Mineral Exploration Release Area - Form29ERA:
- Download Form 29ERA as a printable PDF Form 29ERA (PDF 373 KB)
- Download Form 29ERA as an editable MS Word document eForm 29ERA (DOCX)
Downloaded complete applications can be submitted by one of the following means:
- in person to Level 7, 101 Grenfell Street, Adelaide, South Australia 5000
- by facsimile to +61 8 8463 3101
- by email to dpc.tenements@sa.gov.au
Application fees
An ERA application must be accompanied by the statutory EL application fee.
More information
More information about exploration release areas (ERAs) and the application process
A list of ERAs including former tenement holder and status of the ERA is available for download as Information sheet M53: Mineral exploration release areas (ERAs) (PDF) Updated daily
Areas released
- Application open dates (application week): 03 December to 07 December 2018
- Application open dates (application week): 04 February to 08 February 2019
Application open dates (Application week): 03 December 2018 to 07 December 2018
| ERA number and map | Former holder | Former EL | Locality | Area km2 | Moratorium period | Open for application dates | ERA specific criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ERA 1013 - Download map (PDF) | THZ Pty Ltd | 5152 | Arcoona Area – approx. 160 km northwest of Port Augusta | 264 km2 | 14/01/2018 to 02/12/2018 | 03/12/2018 to 07/12/2018 | Woomera Commonwealth Land (part) |
| ERA 1014 - Download map (PDF) | Minotaur Operations Pty Ltd | 5887 | Gawler Ranges Area – approx. 130 km ENE of Streaky Bay | 311 km2 | 29/09/2018 to 02/12/2018 | 03/12/2018 to 07/12/2018 | Gawler Ranges National Park |
Application open dates (Application week): 04 February 2019 to 08 February 2019
| ERA number and map | Former holder | Former EL | Locality | Area km2 | Moratorium period | Open for application dates | ERA specific criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ERA 1015 - Download map (PDF) | Woomera Exploration Limited | 6091 | Sundown Outstations area - approx. 130 km NNW of Marla | 768 km2 | 11/10/2018 to 03/02/2019 | 04/02/2019 to 08/02/2019 | - |
| ERA 1016 - Download map (PDF) | Woomera Exploration Limited | 6092 | Mount Howe area - approx. 130 km north of Marla | 854 km2 | 11/10/2018 to 03/02/2019 | 04/02/2019 to 08/02/2019 | Far North Prescribed Wells Area |
| ERA 1017 - Download map (PDF) | Woomera Exploration Limited | 6133 | Mount Carulinia area - approx. 20 km northwest of Oodnadatta | 401 km2 | 11/10/2018 to 03/02/2019 | 04/02/2019 to 08/02/2019 | Far North Prescribed Wells Area |
| ERA 1018 - Download map (PDF) | Boston Minerals Pty Ltd | 5865 | Whymlet area - approx. 70 km ENE of Tarcoola | 204 km2 | 01/11/2018 to 03/02/2019 | 04/02/2019 to 08/02/2019 | Woomera Prohibited Area |
| ERA 1019 - Download map (PDF) | Hamelin Gully Pty Ltd | 5866 | Yunta area - approx. 80 km WSW of Olary | 618 km2 | 01/11/2018 to 03/02/2018 | 04/02/2019 to 08/02/2019 | - |
| ERA 1020 - Download map (PDF) | Archer Exploration Pty Ltd | 5383 | Mangalo area - approx. 40 km NW of Cowell | 72 km2 | 13/11/2018 to 03/02/2019 | 04/02/2019 to 08/02/2019 | Heggaton Conservation Park (part) |
| ERA 1021 - Download map (PDF) | THZ Pty Ltd | 5936 | Arcoona area - approx. 15 km SE of Woomera | 41 km2 | 13/11/2018 to 03/02/2019 | 04/02/2019 to 08/02/2019 | - |
| ERA 1022 - Download map (PDF) | Yunnan International Mining Investment Corp Pty Ltd | 5757 | Moolooloo area - approx. 35 km south of Leigh Creek | 103 km2 | 13/11/2018 to 03/02/2019 | 04/02/2019 to 08/02/2019 | Flinders Ranges Planning Area - Environmental Class B Area |
| ERA 1023 - Download map (PDF) | Sinosteel Uranium SA Pty Ltd | 6026 | Scott Hill area - approx. 85 km NW of Manna Hill | 379 km2 | 13/10/2018 to 03/02/2019 | 04/02/2019 to 08/02/2019 | TBA |