Project update - November 2025

AR3 has completed a detailed scoping process in accordance with the Department for Energy and Mining's (DEM) scoping framework. The process included the following main steps:

  • Preliminary impact assessment
  • Preliminary impact assessment meeting
  • Draft scoping report
  • Government review
  • Final scoping report.

The scoping report has been published by the department in November 2025 and will act as the project-specific terms of reference for a Mining Lease Application for the Koppamurra Project. It sets out the required studies, modelling, environmental and social impact assessment methods, mitigation and management methods, and engagement approach.

The approaches outlined in the report may be varied as new information becomes available during the detailed impact assessment. In these situations, a varied scoping report may be submitted to the department for review and will be published by the department should it be deemed acceptable.

Scoping is an optional initial step for proponents to apply for a mining tenement. By publishing the scoping report, DEM is not providing any endorsement for mining operations to be carried out at Koppamurra. AR3 are now to prepare an application for a mining lease that satisfies the mandatory requirements and studies set out in the terms of reference (Scoping Report). Any lease application received by DEM will still be subject to the typical thorough assessment of all relevant environmental and social matters by Government technical experts prior to making a decision.

Company

RDBD Developments Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Australian Rare Earth Ltd (AR3)

Project

AR3 is the sole owner of the Koppamurra project.

The project is in the exploration phase and has so far identified the presence of the four key rare earth elements needed to produce permanent rare earth magnets.

AR3 holds exploration tenure over six parcels of land in the southeast of South Australia, including Exploration Licences (ELs) 6509, 6613, 6690, 6691, 6942 and 6943.

Map

While the exploration area represents a large geographic area the resource that has been defined to date only covers a small portion of that land (>5%).

Status and tenement information

AR3 is currently in the exploration phase for this project and has now completed a scoping process as the initial step of evaluating the environmental and social impact assessment requirements for a mining lease application.

Mineral exploration, quarrying and mining is carefully regulated in South Australia. Explorers and miners must meet strict conditions to apply for licences, enter land and perform any related activities.

More information on land access and exploration

In South Australia, minerals are the property of the Crown, but landowners have specific rights under the Mining Act 1971 (the Act). The Act and the Mining Regulations 2020 provide the legal framework for exploration and mining.

DEM, through the Regulation and Compliance Division, is responsible for the regulation of South Australia’s exploration and mining sectors. Other government agencies involved with approvals and regulatory compliance of exploration and mining operations include, but are not limited to, the Environment Protection Authority and the Department for Environment and Water.

DEM issues ELs which authorise the holder to explore for minerals subject to the Act, Regulations and the licence conditions. ELs provide the holder with a right to apply for a mining lease.

The Act defines exploring or exploration operations as any kind of operations carried out while prospecting, exploring for minerals, establishing the extent of a mineral deposit and the rehabilitation of environmental impacts associated with those operations. This includes exploration operations classed as 'low impact' and 'advanced'.

Part 10A of the Act requires that before beginning exploration 'a person must not carry out authorised operations unless a program that complies with the requirements of this part is in force for those operations. For exploration conducted on an exploration licence, mineral claim and retention lease, this program will be a Program for Environment Protection and Rehabilitation (PEPR) or generic PEPR (for low impact exploration operations) approved by the department.'

AR3 is currently reviewing the PEPRs to authorise ongoing exploration on ELs 6509 and 6613.

The deposit

Information on the Koppamurra deposit and broader project area can be found on Australian Rare Earths Limited (AR3) website.

Consultation and engagement

The community and other stakeholders affected by exploration and mining operations must be engaged and consulted at specific stages of the exploration and mining process.

Download Minerals Regulatory Guideline MG4 Land access and engagement (PDF 263 KB) for more information.

process diagram

Exploration to mining engagement process (DOCX, 132.0 KB)

  • DEM requires explorers and miners to engage with impacted stakeholders throughout the application and approvals process, as well as continuing engagement throughout the life of any subsequent mining operations.
  • For the project to progress to operational mining, continued engagement with impacted stakeholders must occur as well. If AR3 decide to submit a Mining Lease (ML) application, there is a clear process as illustrated above. Part of this process includes DEM inviting public submissions from any interested party to understand community perspectives on the proposed project.
  • AR3 will then need to address any concerns raised (during legislated public consultation periods) by the public before finalising their application. See the process above for more details.
  • DEM, along with other relevant regulators, will then determine whether the application complies with all relevant legislation and will then form a determination on the application.
  • Should an ML be granted, it would be limited to the operations outlined in the application.
  • MLs also require the approval of a separate operational Program for Environment Protection and Rehabilitation before any on-ground works can be undertaken.
  • MLs are also required to meet the requirements of any other applicable legislation including, but not limited to, the Environment Protection Act 1993 and the Radiation Protection and Control Act 2021.

Related information

PEPRs approved in the last 12 months can be found on the Approved Exploration Programs page.

Historic PEPRs can be found on the South Australian Mining Register.