Approved forms need to be completed for registration of a mineral claim, lease and licence applications and other activities associated with a claim, lease, licence or private mine.
Most forms (except for private mines in some cases) can be completed and lodged using the MERS Customer Experience Portal via one of the following methods:
- A custom-built online form for direct completion, lodgement and payment through this portal.
- A generic lodgement framework where an editable PDF template can be downloaded, completed then uploaded and submitted to DEM along with other relevant details, including payment. In some instances, there will be a delay generating an invoice relating to the application. This will be provided in the business days following lodgement.
- Where the form/lodgement type you are looking for is not available on the MERS Portal, use 'Form 20E: Other documents' to make a lodgement to DEM via the portal.
Other than for private mines (see below) all lodgements are to be made via the MERS Portal. A registered account is required for this - refer to MERS Lodgement Process below. If there are reasons why this cannot be done, contact the Department to discuss and agree on an alternative lodgement method.
If you require any assistance in using the templates or completing and submitting forms visit the MERS Support page or contact the Minerals Tenements Team at DEM.tenements@sa.gov.au
Lodgement of forms under the Mining Act
Completed forms and templates are to be lodged online or provided in digital format. Forms and templates are available on the MERS Customer Experience Portal. Original documents must be retained and may be requested by the Mining Registrar.
What is MERS?
Background information can be found on the Mining and exploration regulation system MERS project
MERS lodgement process
Step 1 (first time users) - Go to the MERS Home page to create a login.
If your company is not known to DEM, you need to create a new account.
If your company is known to DEM, either contact your company's portal administrator who can provide access to your account, or contact DEM for assistance in creating a login for your account
Step 2 - Go to the MERS 'New Lodgement' page to find the form you need.
Step 3 - Complete and submit the form, then view lodgement status and notifications on the MERS 'My Dashboard' page.
Private mines
MERS cannot be used to lodge forms for some private mines. For more information about private mines and form lodgement refer to the Private mines page on this website.
Exploration Expenditure Returns
The existing iApply forms will continue to be used in the near term whilst new MERS forms are being finalised. Continue to use these to lodge your expenditure returns until advised otherwise.
Lodge an EL Expenditure Return
For ELs not within an Amalgamated Expenditure Arrangement (AEA), returns are due no later than 60 days after every even-numbered anniversary of the licence (that is 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th anniversary etc.). An application for deferment or variation of expenditure commitment can also be made through this form (that is where related to the recently completed Expenditure Return period).
For an active EL in existence prior to 01/01/2021, the first Expenditure Return will be required no later than 60 days after the end of its current term, and to cover completed operations and expenditure over the last expenditure commitment period. Thereafter, the return period is 2 years or equivalent to the remainder of the licence term if that term is less than 2 years.
Lodge an Expenditure Return for a group of ELs covered by an AEA
Returns are due no later than 60 days after the end of the AEA return period. An application for deferment or variation of expenditure commitment can also be made through this form (that is where related to the current Expenditure Return period.)
For AEAs current as at 01/01/2021 the first return period is equivalent to the expenditure commitment period for the AEA. For these, both the 2021 expiries AEA renewal template and Form 29 AEA must be completed.
These will represent the first Expenditure Return for that AEA.
Thereafter, Form 29EXR-AEA must be used to submit an AEA Expenditure Return.
Useful downloads
To notify the owner of land of an intention to enter land to prospect or undertake low impact exploration operations.
This form is available in the following formats:
Advise an owner of land of an intention to enter their land, under section 58A of the Act to undertake advanced exploration operations.
This form is available in the following formats:
Advise an owner of land of an intention to enter land to carry out authorised operations on the land if an application is granted.
This form is available in the following formats:
Notify the Mining Registrar of a land access agreement with an owner of land.
This form is available in the following formats:
Request an owner of land who has the benefit of an exemption under section 9 of the Act enter into an agreement to allow exploration and/or mining operations on the land.
This form is available in the following formats:
Advise a tenement holder of the owner's position in relation to a waiver of the benefit of exemption conditions (if any) on which the owner may agree to waive the benefit.
This form is available in the following formats:
Notify the Mining Registrar an agreement under section 9 of the Act, that is an agreement to waive the benefit of an exemption in relation to exempt land exists.
This form is available in the following formats:
A tenement holder must submit mining return information every six months. This is posted to the holder (or a nominated agent) each June and December.
Give notice that the Director intends to make application under section 73M of the Act.
This form is available in the following formats:
An extra copy of the Applicant Details page that is already included within the relevant forms above.
This form is available in the following formats:
Fee calculator for PEPR, MOP and Change in operations
The fee calculator provides a guide to the fees required when submitting a PEPR for exploration or mining, or a mine operations plan (MOP) and for a Change in Operations Application.
Contact us
MERS Support
MERS support team: DEM.MERSsupportteam@sa.gov.au
MERS support line: +61 8 8429 4450
Mineral Tenements
GPO Box 618
Adelaide SA 5001
Email: DEM.tenements@sa.gov.au
Phone: +61 8 8463 3103
Alternative lodgement methods
Where it is not possible to lodge online, for example if there are valid IT issues or approval is obtained to lodge in an alternate manner, then alternatives may include the following:
Email
Attention: Mining Registrar
Email: DEM.tenements@sa.gov.au
Post
The Mining Registrar
Department for Energy and Mining
GPO Box 618
Adelaide SA 5001
Courier/Hand delivery
The Mining Registrar
Department for Energy and Mining
Level 4, 11 Waymouth Street
Adelaide SA 5000
