MG1 Guidelines for miners: mining approval processes in South Australia (PDF 1.3 MB)
Version 2, May 2015
Information about the statutory and policy context of the two-stage authorisation process for mining in South Australia.
Note: This guideline is out of date and is currently under review. Contact our customer service team on +61 8 8463 3000 for advice regarding the mining approval processes in South Australia.
MG2a Preparation of a mining proposal and/or management plan for metallic and industrial minerals (excluding coal and uranium) in South Australia (PDF 5.9 MB)
Published November 2015
MG2b Preparation of a program for environment protection and rehabilitation (PEPR) for metallic and industrial minerals (excluding coal and uranium) in South Australia (PDF 3.0 MB) Updated August 2018
Detailed information to assist tenement holders on how to prepare a PEPR that meets requlatory requirements; includes updated guidance on measurement criteria including example tables.
MG3 Guidelines for miners: preparation of a mining and rehabilitation compliance report in South Australia is currently under revision.
Please refer to Ministerial Determination MD009: Reporting periods and minimum information required to be provided in a compliance report for a holder of a mineral lease and any associated miscellaneous purposes licence or associated extractive mineral lease) (PDF 125 KB)
MG4 Guidelines: landowner rights and access arrangements in relation to mineral exploration and mining in South Australia (PDF 5.0 MB)
Version 2.2 July 2014
Part 1: information about landowner statutory rights and what may be expected in regards to proposed exploration and mining operations on (or near) property.
Part 2: information for explorers on the principles of effective engagement and consultation.
MG5 Guidelines for miners: tailings and tailings storage facilities in South Australia (PDF 353 KB)Version 1.4, September 2009 - currently in revision
Describes the principles to be followed and desired outcome for tailings and tailings storage facilities (TSF) management, and outlines the process to be followed to ensure environmental, social and economic risks have been considered and will be appropriately controlled.
A joint publication of the Department for Energy and Mining and the Environment Protection Authority South Australia (EPA).
MG6 Guidelines for miners: preparation of a program for environment protection and rehabilitation (PEPR) for extractive mineral operations in South Australia (PDF 1.9 MB)Version 2.0 April 2012
Guidelines to assist with the preparation of a program for environment protection and rehabilitation (PEPR) for surface quarrying operations authorised under an extractive minerals lease (EML) and any associated miscellaneous purposes licence (MPL). The guidelines specify the minimum information required to be provided in the PEPR.
MG8 Preparation of a program for environment protection and rehabilitation (PEPR) for low impact mineral exploration in South Australia (PDF 560 KB)
Version 2.0 August 2015
The generic PEPR for low impact mineral exploration in South Australia has been developed by the Department for Energy and Mining to ensure that low impact activities are conducted in a manner that will reduce any potential environmental impacts and facilitate the approval process.
These guidelines describe the scope of low impact exploration activities, relevant environmental aspects, land access and/or consultation requirements, and management of environmental impacts.
MG12 Guidelines for miners: preparation of a mine operations plan (MOP) (PDF 1.3 MB) Version 1.4, May 2012
These guidelines only apply to operations authorised under a private mine. The guidelines provide detailed information to private mine operators on how to prepare a MOP.
MG13 Mineral exploration reporting guidelines for South AustraliaVersion 1.3, April 2014
In South Australia mineral exploration licence holders have a statutory requirement under the Mining Act 1971 and Mining Regulations 2011 to submit data and reports on their activities.
This statutory requirement for the submission of reports is in place so that exploration progress, in accordance with licence conditions, can be assessed and the data obtained in the course of exploration can be effectively captured to ensure future availability to the exploration industry.
These guidelines have been produced to assist licensees in the preparation and submission of the required statutory reports and to ensure integrity of data and compliance with the Mineral Resources Division's policies.
MG14 Extractive areas rehabilitation fund: guidelines for operation (PDF 1.8 MB)
May 2009
The holder of an extractive mineral lease or the owner of a private mine is responsible for rehabilitaion of that lease or mine. Contributions from a specified proportion of the royalty paid on each tonne of quarry product sold are paid to the extractive areas rehabilitation fund (EARF). EARF is administered by the Department for Energy and Mining and provides a mechanism to fund certain rehabilitation activities on extractive mineral sites.
MG16 Guidelines for a native vegetation significant environmental benefit policy for the clearance of native vegetation associated with the minerals and petroleum industry. Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation (PDF 609 KB)
September 2005
All mining, petroleum and geothermal operations (other than exploration) that involve the clearance of native vegetation must be undertaken in accordance with a management plan that the Native Vegetation Council is confident will result in a significant environmental benefit.
MG17 Guidelines: applying for mineral exploration release areas (ERAs) in South Australia (PDF 1.3 MB)Version 2.0 February 2014
An expired, surrendered or cancelled mineral exploration licence areas may now be released to industry as an 'exploration release area (ERA)'. An ERA is released for a minimum 4-week moratorium period after which it is open for application from Monday to Friday (the application week) immediately following the moratorium period. Valid applications are now assessed via a competitive process rather than on a 'first come, first served' basis.
These guidelines discuss the Department for Energy and Mining policies and procedures regarding ERAs, outline the predefined set of assessment criteria against which applications over an ERA will be assessed, and the competitive process for applying for an ERA.
MG18 Guidelines for explorers: submission of representative samples for mineral exploration drillholes (PDF 1.9 MB)Version 1.1 February 2013
A condition of the approval given for proposed drilling for minerals in South Australia is that mineral exploration licence holders provide the Department for Energy and Mining with geological samples obtained during the course of operations.
These guidelines provide advice on sample selection, quantities required, labelling and accompanying information that is required.
MG19 Guidelines for data entry and reporting of landscape function analysisVersion 1.0, August 2013 9
Landscape function analysis (LFA) is a monitoring tool to qualify landscape sustainability. Mining lease operators can use the tool when developing a program for environment protection and rehabilitation (PEPR) or a mine rehabilitation monitoring program.
This document introduces the concept of LFA and provides easy to use instructions for LFA in mine rehabilitation monitoring programs, including how to report LFA. It is designed to be used in conjunction with its companion volume, MG21 Field guide for landscape function analysis for environmental monitoring and assessment (PDF 15.9MB)
MG20: Radioactive core storage and handling: standard operating procedure (PDF 4.0 MB)
Version 1.0, February 2016
By its nature, some drill core contains radioactive material. This document provides practical guidelines for staff and visitors of the South Australia Drill Core Reference Library in the storage and handling of radioactive drill core.
MG21 Field guide for landscape function analysis for environmental monitoring and assessment (PDF 16 MB)September 2013
Landscape function analysis (LFA) is a monitoring tool to qualify landscape sustainability. Mining lease operators can use the tool when developing a program for environment protection and rehabilitation (PEPR) or a mine rehabilitation monitoring program. An overview of LFA and step-by-step guide in how to conduct LFA.
The document provides an overview of LFA and step-by-step guide in how to conduct an LFA.
It is designed to be used in conjunction with its companion volume, MG19 Guidelines for data entry and reporting of landscape function analysis (PDF 1.9 MB)
MG22 Guidelines for conducting mineral exploration in South Australia (PDF 872 KB)
These guidelines have been prepared by the Department for Energy and Mining to provide guidance to explorers when conducting mineral exploration within South Australia, and to assist in the preparation of a program for environment protection and rehabilitation (PEPR) for submission and approval under the Mining Act and regulations.
This guideline is exclusively for extractive minerals and has been prepared by the department to assist small-scale quarry applicants in preparation of a mining proposal (MP) required under section 35 the Mining Act 1971 that must accompany an application for an extractive minerals lease (EML) and program for environment protection and rehabilitation (PEPR) required under section 70B of the Mining Act for authorising operations on EMLs.
MG 24 Establishing and registering a mineral claim in South Australia (PDF 2.6 MB)
A mineral claim is a type of mining tenement under the Mining Act, and is an important step towards applying for a mineral lease. Establishing and registering a claim requires negotiations regarding land access and other authorisations, agreements and consents before pegging the claim.
This guideline sets out how you go about establishing and registering a mineral claim and what you can do on the claim once it is registered.
MG25 Guidelines for explorers on Aboriginal engagement, good faith negotiation and agreement making (PDF 4.2 MB)
Early engagement is an integral part of the risk management strategy for exploration projects. This guideline has been created in response to requests from explorers for basic information on how to commence engagement with native title groups or other traditional owners to facilitate land access for mineral exploration. This information, while targeted at explorers, may also be of use to researchers and other land users seeking to clarify any possible impacts of their project on Aboriginal rights and interests.
The advice in the guideline is general in application and native title groups will, once contacted, provide more specific advice on how they wish to proceed according to their individual preferences.