Upcoming exploration opportunities in South Australia
South Australia is preparing a staged pipeline of strategic exploration release areas, providing industry with early visibility of potential future opportunities across some of the state’s highly prospective mineral provinces.
Approximately 40,000 km² of prospective ground is expected to become available through future competitive releases.
Providing advance visibility of these areas gives explorers and investors an opportunity to assess their potential, access available geoscience data and prepare for future competitive application processes.
Strategic release areas map
Download the Strategic release areas map (PDF, 1.9 MB)
Potential application opening periods are indicative only. Timing, boundaries and composition of release areas remain subject to tenure outcomes, handbacks, rehabilitation requirements and relevant approvals.
A staged pipeline of competitive releases
Strategic release areas will be progressively brought forward for competitive release, with timing informed by tenure availability and other regulatory requirements.
The pipeline is designed to provide industry with greater visibility of potential future opportunities and time to undertake early assessment and planning ahead of individual release processes.
As each area progresses towards release, further information will be published on application timing, assessment criteria and requirements.
Prepare early
Prospective applicants are encouraged to start considering future opportunities ahead of formal release.
You can:
- Assess prospective areas using South Australia’s geological, exploration and tenure data.
- Review mineral potential and existing information for commodities and mineral systems of interest.
- Inspect drill core and samples held by the South Australia Drill Core Library.
- Understand the regulatory framework applying to mineral exploration in South Australia.
- Familiarise yourself with competitive release requirements before an area formally opens for applications.
- Talk to our team about upcoming strategic exploration release opportunities.
Explore South Australia's resources and tools
South Australian Resources Information Gateway (SARIG)
Use SARIG to explore South Australia’s geoscientific, exploration and resources information through an interactive map.
Explore SARIG
Maps, data and online tools
Access mapping, geoscience data and other online resources to support assessment of South Australia’s mineral potential and exploration opportunities.
Explore maps, data and online tools
South Australia Drill Core Library
Access South Australia’s extensive collection of drill core, rock samples and geological information to support exploration, research and investment decision-making.
Learn about the Drill Core Library
Mineral commodities
Explore information about South Australia's mineral commodities and the geological settings in which they occur.
Explore South Australia's mineral commodities
PACE Minerals
Find out more about PACE Minerals, South Australia’s $12.4 million co-funded drilling and discovery program supporting mineral exploration.
Learn about PACE Minerals
Understand the exploration and application process
Mineral exploration in South Australia
Find information about South Australia’s mineral exploration regulatory framework, including exploration activities and requirements.
Learn about mineral exploration regulation
Mining and Exploration Regulation System (MERS)
Access information about MERS and the department's online mining and exploration regulation services.
Learn about MERS
Current and previous exploration release areas
Strategic exploration releases are separate from the department’s Exploration Release Areas (ERAs) which are the release of relinquished ground. Visit the Exploration Release Areas page for information about advertised ERA releases, application periods and supporting information.
View Exploration Release Areas
Plan your next exploration opportunity
Explore the pipeline, investigate the geological potential and prepare for future competitive releases.
Contact the Department for Energy and Mining
Contact us via email: exploration.releases@sa.gov.au
