About ERAs

Under the Mining Act 1971 an expired, fully surrendered or cancelled mineral exploration licence area becomes relinquished ground (RG) and will be released to industry as an 'exploration release area' (ERA).

Relinquished ground release strategy

Over the coming months the department will be releasing relinquished ground as ERAs in 4 batches:

• Batch 1 – Curnamona and North-East (Published Monday 23 March 2026)
  Application open date: 25 May 2026
  Application close date: 19 June 2026
  Download the fact sheet: Exploration release areas Batch 1 - Curnamona and North-East (PDF, 1.6 MB)
• Batch 2 – Adelaide Rift Complex and South-East (Published Monday 13 April 2026)
  Application open date: 15 June 2026
  Application close date: 10 July 2026
  Download the fact sheet: Exploration release areas Batch 2 - Adelaide Rift Complex and South-East (PDF, 1.6 MB)
• Batch 3 – Western to Central Gawler, Far West, North-West (Published Tuesday 19 May 2026)
  Application open date: 20 July 2026
  Application close date: 14 August 2026
  Download the fact sheet: Exploration release areas Batch 3 – Western to Central Gawler, Far West, North-West (PDF, 2.3 MB)
• Batch 4 – Eastern Gawler and Eyre Peninsula (Release due June 2026)

The application open period occurs 2 months after the ERA publish date.

Relinquished ground and release regions for 2026

Download a copy of the Relinquished ground and release regions for 2026 map (PDF 1 MB)

The location of all current relinquished ground and ERAs can be found on the South Australian Resources Information Gateway (SARIG).

ERA list and submitting applications

A list of all ERAs including an 'Apply' button next to those that are open for application can be found on the Mining and Exploration Regulation System (MERS) portal:

• Exploration release areas (ERAs)
  Batch 1 ERA numbers 002020 to 002023, 002026 to 002045
  Batch 2 ERA numbers 002024 to 002025, 002046 to 002083
  Batch 3 ERA numbers 002084 to 002112

Application fees

An ERA application must be accompanied by the statutory EL application fee.

The fee schedule, a fee calculator and FAQs are available on this website:

• Fees and calculators

More information

More information about ERAs and the application process is available in the exploration licences guideline MG33:

• MG33: Exploration licences guideline (PDF 426 KB)

Use the department’s Mineral Exploration Code of Conduct to support your application and demonstrate good engagement practice:

• Mineral Exploration Code of Conduct (PDF, 552.3 KB)