Geochemical and isotopic data from mantle-derived mafic rocks provide important constraints on our understanding of the composition and evolution of the lithosphere through time. Since the lithosphere is sensitive to tectonic processes such as extension (rifting) or subduction, the composition and timing of mafic magmatism have implications for our understanding of the nature of the tectonic processes that have formed crustal rocks which now host major ore deposits and ore deposit systems. The subject report summarises key magmatic events from the Gawler Craton and Curnamona Province in South Australia. Their location, lithology and the current understanding of geochronology and geochemistry of the mafic rock suites from these two provinces are documented with a view to informing a discussion on the various tectonic settings and source regions from which these magmas were derived. Samarium-neodymium (Sm-Nd) isotope geochemistry is employed to determine the nature of the source region, and together with trace and rare earth element signatures, allows the author to propose possible tectonic environments in which these magmas were formed. Five major episodes of magmatism have been identified from igneous rocks sampled across the Gawler Craton and Curnamona Province. They comprise: (i) the 3250–3150 Ma felsic gneisses of the Cooyerdoo granite; (ii) the 2560–2440 Ma igneous rocks of the Mulgathing Complex and Sleaford Complex; (iii) the 1850 Ma Donington Suite, 1812 Ma Tournefort Metadolerite, 1790 Ma Myola and Tidnamurkuna Volcanics, and the 1760 Ma McGregor Volcanics, Willamulka Volcanics and Bute Amphibolite; (iv) a period spanning from c. 1740–1630 Ma, which was dominated by widespread intrusive magmatism associated with the Kimban Orogeny of the Gawler Craton and magmatism initiated in the Curnamona Province; and (v) early Mesoproterozoic, 1600-1580 Ma,magmatism of the Nuyts Volcanics, St Francis Suite, St Peter Suite, Gawler Range Volcanics, Hiltaba Suite and the Ninnerie Supersuite. At least six mafic magmatic events can be traced across the Gawler Craton and the Curnamona Province. In general, each event becomes increasingly evolved as magmatism continues, suggesting the initiation of crustal melting or incorporation of pre-existing enriched lithospheric mantle material during magmatism. The composition of the mantle evolves from Archaean depleted mantle to enriched lithospheric mantle, accompanied by younger enriched lithospheric mantle and asthenospheric mantle input at various stages. In addition to this, the continental crust of the Gawler Craton and Curnamona Province appears to be underlain by various components of enriched lithospheric mantle, which were once probably Archaean depleted mantle reservoirs that were progressively refertilised and enriched over time. This enriched continental lithospheric mantle source region may be the consequence of a long-lived, ancient lithospheric mantle developed underneath the stable cratonic region which was repeatedly refertilised and remelted during each tectonic and magmatic cycle, since mafic rocks spanning from at least 2560 Ma to 1680 Ma all possess characteristics of such a source region. Its ability to be sampled repeatedly during crustal evolution is likely to be related to processes attributed to replenishing this ancient lithospheric source in volatiles and incompatible elements by the percolation of fluids from the lower mantle. Mineralising systems associated predominantly with mafic rocks in South Australia include those that have formed magmatic Ni-Cu sulphides, Pb-Zn-Ag base metal and IOCG, while there is unknown and under-explored potential for porphyry Cu and skarn mineralisation.