The Mining Exploration and Regulation System (MERS) portal is now live.

The new portal provides a modern digital platform to better meet the needs of community, industry and the department, streamlining regulatory processes, improving user experience, and supporting efficient interactions between industry and government.

MERS will manage the entire lifecycle of regulation for the resources sector within South Australia, from exploration, quarrying and mining licensing and lease impact assessment and management, through to regulated compliance and royalties.

The MERS portal replaces the former Tenement Management System (TMS). All applications now need to be submitted through MERS.

Key dates

21 July 2025: MERS go-live

22 July to 20 August 2025: Online support sessions

Using the MERS portal

On Day 1 (Monday 21 July 2025):

If you have registered with DEM and updated your contact details you will receive a go-live confirmation email that will include instructions and links on how to login to the new MERS system. This will allow you to:

  • Create and submit new lodgements from the 'New Lodgements' page
  • View all active tenements on your 'My Dashboard' page
  • View your 'Manage Access' page and invite additional employees and third party representatives, such as Tenement Managers and Agents, Operators etc.
  • Receive email reminders and notifications issued from MERS for newly lodged applications

From Day 2 (Tuesday 22 July) until early August:

  • View reporting and return schedules that are being incrementally set up - these will appear in the 'Report Schedule' section on you dashboard

Applications already with DEM

All applications currently under assessment will be migrated into MERS, however these will not be visible on the portal dashboard. Any new application's created in the portal will be displayed. For updates on existing applications liaise with your DEM Assessment Officer.

Royalty returns lodgements

Note that 30 June 2025 royalty returns lodgement will continue to use DEM's existing TReL system. Royalty returns for the 31 December 2025 period will be lodged using the MERS Portal.

Exploration Expenditure Returns

Note that the Expenditure Return form and Expenditure Return for an Amalgamated Expenditure Agreement are not yet available in MERS. You should continue to use the existing iApply forms to lodge expenditure returns until advised otherwise.

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Preparing for the new system

Update your contact detail

  • If you have not updated your contact information as requested by DEM, email DEM.Tenements@sa.gov.au as soon as possible to do so prior to go-live.
  • You will not be able to access MERS until your required contact details have been updated. If supplied after go-live there may be delays in processing these requests and consequent delays in providing timely access to the system.

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Support for stakeholders

Online support sessions - Tuesday 22 July to Wednesday 20 August

  • DEM will be hosting online support sessions to provide an opportunity for raising questions, requesting support and resolving issues quickly and directly with the team.
  • These sessions will be held throughout the weeks following go-live on 21 July.
  • DEM will provide a form for the submission of questions to assist the team leaders of  the sessions to prepare.
  • Select a date and time to participate in a forthcoming MERS Portal Support Session
    Select a date for participating in an online information session
    You will receive an email prior to your selected date with the link to join the session.
  • If you have  any issues with registering for one of the online sessions contact  DEM.Events@sa.gov.au

Instructions and recordings

The MERS Portal has a support page providing content to help stakeholders undertake a variety of activities with the portal. This will be available via the MERS Portal home page.

MERS support pathway

To ensure efficient and streamlined support when using MERS, stakeholders are encouraged to follow the support pathway outlined below.

1. Portal Support Request System (Primary support method)

A link is available on the portal for raising MERS support requests. This will:

  • enable DEM to track and manage the full lifecycle of each request
  • ensure issues are directed to the appropriate teams
  • help DEM identify common queries and develop targeted support materials.

This link will be provided within the go-live confirmation email.

2. MERS Support Line (Urgent matters only)

The support line  is intended for time-sensitive or critical issues. This will be used to triage key items as high priority. Requests will still be logged in the ticketing system for DEM to track progress. If needed, DEM will contact stakeholders by the preferred method as stated on the phone.

  • MERS support line phone: 08 8429 4450

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Private mines

Functionality for private mines will be progressively rolled out for a subset of tenement holders, in line with the Mining Act.

If you have any queries regarding private mines contact DEM.privatemines@sa.gov.au

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Contact information

MERS support team: DEM.MERSsupportteam@sa.gov.au

MERS support line: 08 8429 4450

Registering for the online support sessions: DEM.Events@sa.gov.au

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    We thank all stakeholders for their patience during the development phase of this transformation and recognise the contributions of our Industry Reference Group who willingly provided their time and expertise to ensure user experience is maximised.