South Australia is accelerating its position as a global minerals destination with the announcement of a significant new land release in the state’s north. More than 11,000 square kilometres of highly prospective terrain within the Northern Gawler Craton—north of Coober Pedy—is set to open for mineral exploration in early 2026.
The Geological Survey of South Australia (GSSA) and the Department for Energy and Mining have confirmed that 16 co-located release areas will be made available through a competitive tender process. This province-scale opportunity is expected to draw strong interest from explorers targeting copper, critical minerals, and other strategically important commodities.
A Region Backed by New Geological Insights
Recent data acquired through the National Drilling Initiative (NDI) in collaboration with MinEx CRC has significantly improved geological understanding of the region. These insights offer explorers a clearer picture of subsurface potential and help de-risk investment decisions.
Explorers will also have access to detailed datasets and tools, including:
- 1st Edition SA Geology
- NDI Dashboard, with post-drilling reports and interpretation updates to follow
With a strengthened evidence base and vast unexplored terrain, the Northern Gawler Craton is emerging as a high-value destination for discovery.
Tender Details
Applications Open: 9 February 2026
Applications Close: 27 February 2026
Companies interested in participating are encouraged to start preparing early to ensure compliance with all tender, exploration licence, and land access requirements.
Contact us today to find out how we can support you with your application preparation and Geoservices.