Professional Documents
Culture Documents
About Mineral Exploration SA
About Mineral Exploration SA
February 2013
This information sheet is also available on the DMITRE minerals website (see above).
Inquiries
Melissa Muller
Principal Policy Adviser
Email: Melissa.Muller@sa.gov.au
This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cwlth), no part may be reproduced by any
process without prior written permission from the Government of South Australia available through the Department for Manufacturing,
Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy (DMITRE). Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to
the Deputy Chief Executive, Resources and Energy, DMITRE, GPO Box 1264, Adelaide SA 5001.
Disclaimer
The contents of this report are for general information only and are not intended as professional advice, and the Department for
Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy (and the Government of South Australia) make no representation, express or
implied, as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the information contained in this report or as to the suitability of the information
for any particular purpose. Use of or reliance upon the information contained in this report is at the sole risk of the user in all things
and the Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy (and the Government of South Australia) disclaim any
responsibility for that use or reliance and any liability to the user.
Alternative formats
This publication is available in other formats, including translation on request. Direct requests to the Mineral Resources Division.
Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy 2012. Landowner frequently asked questions for mineral
exploration in South Australia. Earth Resources Information Sheet 54, Mineral Resources Division. Department for Manufacturing,
Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy.
204345
Revision history
Version Date Comment
1.0 2013 Released February 2013
Contents
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................................4
Compensation ............................................................................................................................................................ 12
Miscellaneous ............................................................................................................................................................. 19
Glossary ........................................................................................................................................................................ 20
Amata
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Oodnadatta
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Innamincka
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Coober Pedy
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Marree
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Andamooka
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Leigh Creek
Cook Tarcoola (
!
(
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Woomera
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Eucla
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Ceduna Broken Hill
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Quorn
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Port Augusta (
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Orroroo
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Streaky Bay (
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Wudinna Whyalla (
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! (
!
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! Peterborough
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Kimba Port Pirie
Cleve Burra
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! (
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Kadina (
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(
! Clare
Tumby Bay
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Port Lincoln
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Yorketown Adelaide
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Murray Bridge
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Kingscote Pinnaroo
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Victor
Harbor
Keith
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!
Bordertown
(
! Nhill
(
!
Horsham
Kingston SE (
! (
!
Naracoorte
(
!
Penola !(
(
!
Millicent
Mount Gambier (
! Hamilton (
!
(
!
Portland
Amata
(
!
Oodnadatta
(
!
Innamincka
(
!
Coober Pedy
(
!
Marree
(
!
Andamooka
(
!
Cook Tarcoola (
! Leigh Creek
(
! (
!
Woomera
(
!
Eucla
(
! Hawker
(
!
Ceduna Broken Hill
(
! (
!
Quorn
(
!
Port Augusta (
!
Orroroo
(
! Streaky Bay (
!
Wudinna
(
! Kimba (
!
Whyalla
(
!
(
! Peterborough
(
!
Port Pirie
Cleve
(
! Burra !(
Kadina (
!
(
! Clare
(
! Tumby Bay
(
!
Port Lincoln
Yorketown
(
! Adelaide !(
(
! Murray Bridge
(
!
Pinnaroo
(
!
(
!
Kingscote Victor
Harbor
Keith
(
!
Bordertown
(
! Nhill
(
!
Kingston SE (
!
Horsham (
!
Naracoorte
(
!
Penola
(
!
Millicent (
!
Mount Gambier (
! Hamilton (
!
(
!
Portland
Approximately 0.1% of South Australia is covered by mining leases as at February 2013. This map
is available through SARIG www.sarig.dmitre.sa.gov.au.
SARIG is a mapping system that enables It can take many years to undertake the
you to locate your land using lands titles required scientific studies to progress
information. Once you have identified your from exploration through to mining. This
land you can then find out what tenements requires an understanding of the impacts
(exploration or mining) exist over that a mine will have on the environment
land and further details such as the holder and how the impacts will be managed
information and the grant and expiry dates during and after mining, before any formal
of these tenements. The information that is applications can be lodged.
available from SARIG comes directly from How do I access information on
the Mining Register. exploration licences?
Alternatively, you may request a search Information on exploration licences such
of the Mining Register through Mineral as the holder of the exploration licence, the
Will exploration operations affect my land A ‘Notice of entry’ is an official form under
the Mining Act. The notice of entry is
or my ability to run my property?
intended to provide you with information
As a landowner you have rights in relation about the proposed entry to your land
to an explorer entering your land. Refer to including the location, timing and extent
‘What is a notice of entry’, this page. of the proposed exploration or mining
What do I do once I have received a notice Yes, you can have a say and you may
of entry? negotiate a Land Access Agreement for
entry with the explorer. This agreement
You should review the notice carefully. may specify terms such as when the
explorer can enter, how the explorer
a) If you are agreeable to the proposed communicates with you and any other
exploration activities described on matters that are important to you.
the notice, no action is required. The
explorer must wait 21 days after the If you have reached an agreement the terms
date of serving the notice before of the agreement are binding between you
entering your land. You should retain and the explorer.
the notice for your records.
If a Land Access Agreement cannot be
b) If you require further information about reached then the explorer may serve a
the proposed exploration, you should notice of entry on you. If you are a freehold
contact the explorer via the person or perpetual leasehold landowner you have
named in Section B of the notice. the right to object to the explorer entering
in court.
c) You may negotiate specific conditions
to entry on your land (such as the What should be in a Land Access
timing or location of exploration) by Agreement?
entering into an agreement with the The Land Access Agreement must be a
explorer. An agreement is instead of written document signed by the landowner
a notice of entry but it must meet the and the explorer. This document may
requirements outlined in the Mining be drafted by a lawyer, the explorer, the
Regulations. landowner or a combination.
Declared equipment
What is a ‘Notice of use of declared
equipment’?
What do I do if I have received a notice of
A ‘Notice of use of declared equipment’
use of declared equipment?
is an official form under the Mining Act.
If an explorer intends to use declared You should review the notice carefully.
equipment, such as earthmoving or drilling a) If you are agreeable to the use of
equipment, the explorer must issue you declared equipment described on
with a notice of use of declared equipment the notice, no action is required.
form or negotiate an agreement with you to The explorer must wait 21 days after
use the equipment. serving the notice before using the
equipment. You should retain this
What is ‘declared equipment’? notice for your records.
Declared equipment means – b) If you require further information
• a trench digger or excavator about the use of declared equipment,
Importantly, any work to be undertaken on In the first instance, you should contact the
explorer. The details of the contact person
your property should be described in the
are available on the notice of entry served
notice of entry served on you prior to the
on you prior to entry.
explorer’s entry on your land.
If the explorer does not satisfactorily
If you have any concern regarding
address your concerns you should contact
exploration being conducted on your
an officer from DMITRE Exploration
land you may contact DMITRE for further
Regulation who will assist you.
assistance.
What will be the impact of exploration
Who is responsible for rehabilitating
activities conducted on my property?
exploration impacts?
This will depend on the type of
As part of the approval to conduct
exploration conducted, the environment
exploration, the Exploration Licence holder
the exploration is conducted in, and
is responsible for ensuring any impacts
the duration and size of the exploration
from the exploration are rehabilitated.
program.
DMITRE may require the explorer to pay
The explorer must keep you informed as to
a bond depending on the location of the
the nature of their exploration and impacts
exploration and the type of exploration associated with the conduct of the activity.
activities. Where there is a bond and the However, all land disturbed by exploration
explorer is unable to fulfil the rehabilitation must be rehabilitated in accordance with
requirements DMITRE will use the bond to their approved PEPR.
assist with rehabilitation.
Compensation may be payable for loss of
Who monitors the rehabilitation of income until rehabilitation is completed.
exploration in South Australia?
Exploration Regulation within DMITRE Who is responsible for the workers
monitors exploration operations to ensure carrying out operations on my property?
compliance with the Mining Act, the The explorer is responsible for contractors
conditions of the Exploration Licence and carrying our work on the exploration
the approved exploration programs (PEPRs). licence, such as drilling contractors,
surveyors and environmental consultants.
Does the explorer have to rehabilitate
impacts to my property? Who holds insurance?
Yes. Explorers are required to rehabilitate The explorer must have public liability
exploration activity impacts within six insurance for an amount that is reasonable
months of completion of their approved for the exploration activities.
PEPR, unless otherwise approved by
DMITRE.
Regulation and compliance
Land that is disturbed by exploration must
be returned to a state that is consistent with What is an explorer required to do before
its prior land use and productivity, and/or conducting an airborne survey?
enables and promotes natural regeneration The explorer must notify DMITRE prior
to occur. to conducting an airborne survey and
The Registry of the Warden’s Court and Explorer is the holder of the exploration
ERD Court is located in Sir Samuel Way licence (EL). They are legally responsible for
Building, 241–259 Victoria Square, Adelaide, all and anything to do with the EL.
on the lower ground floor. Postal address Exploring is any operation carried out
is the same for each court, GPO Box 2465, in the course of exploring for minerals,
Adelaide SA 5001. establishing the extent of a mineral deposit
or prospecting.
SARIG (South Australian Resources
Information Geoserver) Fossicking is described as the gathering
www.sarig.dmitre.sa.gov.au. A help menu of minerals as a recreation and which does
can be accessed via www.minerals.dmitre. not disturb the land or water by the use
sa.gov.au/sarighelp/home or the QR below of machinery or explosives, and without
the intention to sell the minerals or to
utilise them for a commercial or industrial
purpose.
Geophysical survey is a type of survey to
understand the physical properties of the
earth.
Mineral Tenements
Level 5, 101 Grenfell Street, Adelaide SA
GPO Box 1264, Adelaide SA 5001
Phone: +61 8 8463 3103
Fax: +61 8 8463 3101
Email: DMITRE.Tenements@sa.gov.au
Exploration Regulation
Level 5, 101 Grenfell Street, Adelaide SA
GPO Box 1264, Adelaide SA 5001
Phone: +61 8 8463 3484
Email: DMITRE.Exploration@sa.gov.au
www.minerals.dmitre.sa.gov.au