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Exploration Opportunities

Minerals Opportunities - Restricted Areas

Restricted Areas (RAs) are temporarily created over untenured land where interesting geophysical signatures have been identified in geophysical data acquired as part of the Smart Exploration program.  These RAs are then repealed at a set time and applications for exploration permits are accepted.

Creation and repeal of these RAs provides an equal opportunity to local and international companies to access the land to explore these geophysical signatures.  These RAs form a key element of the Government's strategy to promote exploration investment into frontier and under-explored areas of the state.

Promotion of these exploration opportunities is supported by a data package which generally includes the new geophysical data, depth to basement modelling, summaries of previous company exploration in the area and available geological data.  

Investors have several months to assess the data before the RAs are repealed on a stated date and on the next business day following this date, any interested explorer can submit applications for exploration permits over the repealed areas.

As at 1 August 2009, 36 RAs had been created with 9 being repealed.

The first group of four repealed resulted in two entities being successful, a Korean consortium consisting of Hanwha Australia, Sun Metals Corporation and KORES Australia, and Gold Aura Ltd.

The second group of four RAs repealed on 30 March 2008 were assessed and resulted in SK Australia Pty Limited being given priority for three and Holloman Minerals Pty Ltd given priority for one.

Upon repeal of RA321, in three stages from 15 February to 14 June 2009, the successful entity for stage 1 was China West International Holdings Limited. Stages 2 and 3 are currently being assessed.

Call for tenders

Information is available on the current availability and requirements of making tenders for an Authority to Prospect (Petroleum) and a Geothermal Exploration Permit, including tender areas, assessment criteria, gazette notice and details of fees, closing date and lodgement address.

Last Updated 07 September 2009