Frequently Asked Questions

Go-live Questions

• Question: I am an existing Tenement Holder. Do I need to create a new account?
• Answer: No. DEM already has your details and will send you a portal invitation upon go-live. If you have not received an invitation, please submit a support ticket to DEM (under the ‘Contact Us’ section in the top right of this page), and a representative will contact you about your account login.

• Question: I am an existing Tenement Holder, but I do not have access to email and/or the internet. How can I continue to communicate with DEM?
• Answer: DEM will continue to communicate with Tenement Holders who are unable to use the MERS portal via the existing processes. Should you wish to transition to an online user and receive all the benefits of the new portal, please contact the MERS support line on 08 8429 4450 or email DEM.MERSsupportteam@sa.gov.au.

• Question: I am an existing Agent/Tenement Manager. Do I need to create a new account?
• Answer: Maybe. DEM will create accounts for you when sufficient information is available. In such cases, you will receive an invitation to the portal on go-live. If you don’t receive an invitation, you can create your account yourself within the portal. Refer to the MERS Portal Account.

• Question: I am an existing Agent/Tenement Manager. How do I get access to my client’s information?
• Answer: Once you have registered with the new MERS portal, your details will be available for selection by the Tenement Holder (refer to the Third Party Representatives), who can invite you into their workspace. They can also provide access to view information relating to one or more of their tenements.

• Question: Will my existing ‘in-flight’ applications be visible in the portal?
• Answer: No. Applications that were not finalised before MERS went live on 21 July 2025 will be managed outside the new system until they are completed. Only new applications submitted with the new system will be visible.

• Question: To create a MERS account, do I just enter my email address and a password?
• Answer: When you see the Welcome page, ensure you click where it says ‘Sign up’ (located at the bottom of the box). Then, enter your email address, a password, and click 'Continue'. This will send an email to your email address, which will prompt you to verify your account.  You then follow the prompts to finish the verification.

• Question: When logging back into the portal, what account security methods are in place?
• Answer: There are two authentication methods MERS will require you to use to set up your account security. You can use the QR code, which requires installation of an additional mobile authenticator app, or use your mobile phone number (recommended) to receive a one-time code via SMS each time you sign in.
  • Note: When entering your mobile number, it is essential to remove the leading ‘0’.
  • For more information about Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), please visit this link.
• Question: I’ve forgotten my password. How do I access my account?
• Answer:  MERS allows for password resetting, provided you know and can access your email address.  More details can be found here.

Account Management Questions

• Question: I am not an existing account holder with MERS, and I would like to apply for a tenement. Do I need an account before I can start my application?
• Answer: Yes. The process is simple, and instructions on how to complete this can be found on the MERS Portal Account. 

• Question: I have set up my MERS account, but I would like my operator or a third-party representative to manage everything on my behalf. Can I do that?
• Answer: Yes, mostly. You can invite a Third Party Representative, such as an Agent, Operator, Consultant, or legal representative, into your workspace, and they can create and submit lodgements on your behalf. In some cases, the approval of the Tenement Holder is still required for submission. Refer to Manage Access – Third Party Representatives. Please be aware that the Agent and Operator agreements must be in place when the Third Party Representative submits the lodgement.
   
• Question: Do all our employees need to have separate login credentials to MERS?
• Answer: Yes. Each employee must use their own login to ensure the traceability and auditability of activity associated with their account. Multi-factor authentication is required to access MERS, which involves both an email address and a mobile phone number. Inviting another employee into MERS is a straightforward process. Refer to Manage Access - Employees.

• Question: When I invite an employee into my portal, what is the difference between an ‘Employee’ and ‘Admin’?
• Answer: An ‘Admin’ has additional permissions in the portal, specifically, they can invite other employees and Third Party Representatives, update notification contacts, and update information on their profile page. ‘Employee’ users can still see and perform all other activities, such as creating and submitting lodgements.

• Question: Can I have a single login for my related companies?
• Answer: Yes. Please submit a support ticket with DEM (refer to the ‘Contact Us’ section in the top right of this page, or alternatively, either call the MERS support line on 08 8429 4450 or email DEM.MERSsupportteam@sa.gov.au), and a representative can assist with this setup process.

• Question: The operator of my tenement manages everything for us; do I still need a MERS account?
• Answer: Yes. As a Tenement Holder, you are responsible for the activity associated with your tenement(s). However, inviting a Third Party Representative is simple, and they can perform the bulk of the activities on your behalf.

• Question: Once I have set up my account in MERS, will I receive reminders for all my annual reporting requirements through the MERS portal?
• Answer: Yes. One of the great benefits of the new portal is the ability to show all required reporting/return requirements. A schedule will be visible on the dashboard with the ‘Report Schedule’ section, and when the report/return is due, the system will generate a pre-populated report for you to submit. This will appear in your Draft Lodgements section. An automated notification will also be sent to your nominated email address.

• Question: I hold a mining tenement with another party. Do we both have to have accounts in MERS?
• Answer: Yes. Each Tenement Holder will have access to the same information related to the tenement.

• Question: I have set up my account in MERS. Which details can I update, and which do I need to contact DEM to update?
• Answer: On the ‘Profile’ page, you can update your details if you are the ‘Administrator’ of your account. Several restricted fields require an application to be lodged with DEM, including, for example, any changes to your Entity Name, ABN, ACN, Registered Address and Registered Email.

• Question: If I lodge a new application through the MERS portal, will I receive all correspondence from DEM related to that application through the portal?
• Answer: Yes, mostly. The majority of correspondence will occur through the portal, including application submission receipt notifications, requests for further information (RFIs), condition notifications and automated reminders. For these notifications, you will receive an email with a link to the portal and/or the application/RFI. Some communication, such as approval notifications, will continue to be issued via email and are intended to be included in a future MERS release.

• Question: Can I track my new application in the MERS portal?
• Answer: Yes. To view the status of a submitted application, go to your dashboard and view the ‘Lodgements’ section. The last column in this table indicates the latest status of the application. Please be aware that applications received prior to MERS going live on 21 July 2025 will not be available in the MERS portal.

• Question: Can I still search the Public Mining Register for free?
• Answer: Yes. To access the Public Mining Register, use the following link: Mining Register.

• Question: Do I need to set up an account to search the Mining Register?
• Answer: No. An account is no longer required to search and download supporting documents and extracts.

• Question: Can I still talk directly with the DEM staff about any tenement and application questions?
• Answer: Yes. You can still email and/or call DEM staff. Application statuses and other information are now available on the portal. We expect that some of your enquiries can be addressed by checking your portal dashboard or visiting the MERS Support Page.