27 October 2026
South Australia puts the pedal to the metal to further accelerate mineral exploration
More mineral discoveries will lead to more mines in South Australia, with a major reform to exploration permitting set to get drills turning even faster.
Building on the return of the Plan to Accelerate Exploration Program (PACE Minerals) and leveraging the state’s implementation of a new Mining and Energy Regulation System (MERS), a new regional approach to environmental applications aims to fast-track some of the key processes required of mineral explorers before they commence work, getting them operational sooner.
Long-established processes require exploration licence (EL) holders to develop plans for maintaining and rehabilitating the environment they propose to operate in. Known as an exploration program for environment protection and rehabilitation (EPEPRs), these plans must be approved by the Department for Energy and Mining (DEM) before exploration starts.
EL holders in the Northern Gawler Craton area can now use a regional template for lodging these EPEPRs. The Regional EPEPR template prepopulates applications with much of the required data that is common to the region, saving time and money for explorers. Details such as a description of the general environment, the scope of exploration operations and environmental management components will be completed automatically, freeing explorers to focus on their exploration program and engagement with stakeholders.
Importantly, the Regional EPEPR template, which will be available in MERS, is expected to accelerate DEM’s assessment of applications, contributing to faster discoveries, while ensuring a rigorous and consistent assessment process. DEM plans to release new Regional EPEPRs for other regions of the state in the future.
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