South Australia is uniquely placed to be a catalyst for the world's energy transformation - with abundant copper resources, international leadership in renewable energy and vibrant partnerships.
South Australia's copper resources and production
South Australia is the number 1 destination for copper in the nation.
- South Australia hosts 66% of Australia's known copper resources, with 103 Mt of contained copper in the state
- Exploration is on the rise with investment surging past $204m p.a.
Our global-scale output - our future
- In 2024, South Australian miners produced enough copper to power 3.4 million electric vehicles or 70,000 wind turbines from 323, 479 tonnes
- Enterprising projects across the copper supply chain with copper producers and partners transforming operations.
- A low emissions electricity system – 75% wind and solar, firmed by battery and gas – enabling mining operators to harness clean energy to their competitive advantage
- A pioneering scientific base, and hub to be a global centre in next-generation mining
- Fast-growing renewable energy generation and storage sector to expand supply options
- Targeting 100% net renewable electricity generation by 2027
- Export pathways and supporting infrastructure
World-class data
South Australia is the premier exploration destination, providing extensive precompetitive date, advanced geoscience tools and the world-class Drill Core Library.
- The South Australia Drill Core Library hosts geological samples available as drill core, cuttings, rock samples and thin sections
- Current SARIG Core Intelligence project transforming physical resources into a digital intelligence library, making drill core and associated datasets accessible anytime and from anywhere in the world
- South Australian Discovery Mapping soon to be released - an interactive, digital-first geological mapping platform, beginning with the Gawler Craton and expanding to Olympic Copper-Gold Province and Eyre Peninsula
Emerging opportunities
The South Australian government is backing copper expansion.
- New acreage releases in the prospective Northern Gawler Craton
- Common-use infrastructure corridors to open new regions to investment
- Northern Water Project to secure sustainable water supply for industry
- Upper Spencer Gulf Workforce Plan which includes the Spencer Gulf Jobs and Skills Hub to provide career opportunities for traditional and emerging industries
- Industry Capability Network driving local content and partnerships
- Innovation hubs in AI, advanced manufacturing, and energy technology
South Australia is the future of copper - shaping the global copper supply chain and powering the world's energy transformation.
