Ground in the Eucla Basin which borders the south-western margin of the Gawler Ranges basement uplift has been explored for possible economic marine placer heavy mineral sands deposits. Work was focussed on evaluating any Tertiary shoreline sediment accumulations preserved amongst the basement high features in the now relinquished licence subareas, that may have acted as trap sites for heavy mineral (HM) deposition. Reconnaissance mapping and an extensive desktop data review were conducted, as well as the completion of 131 exploratory aircore drillholes at various times between 2006 and 2008. On EL 3202/4305, which has been fully surrendered, 47 aircore holes were drilled for a total penetration of 1560.2 m. 64 drill cuttings samples were submitted for HM assays, but no significant results were obtained. The greatest content of HM was 1.6%. On EL 4408, 76 aircore holes were drilled for a total penetration of 4937.3 m. 2 drill cuttings samples were submitted for HM assays, but no significant results were obtained. The Yaranna uranium prospect found by earlier explorers, which is located within EL 4408, is on ground being retained. On EL 4232, 8 aircore holes were drilled during 2007 for a total penetration of 180 m. 19 drill cuttings samples were submitted for HM assays, but no significant results were obtained. All of the Eucla Basin sediments drilled within ELs 4305 and 4408 are interpreted as estuarine/non-marine facies, and appear to lack any HM or prospective sands. The sediments drilled on EL 4232 are interpreted as partially estuarine/non-marine. The now relinquished Group 3 licences' ground is believed to lie within a shallow basin margin region which Iluka has interpreted as being filled with predominantly non-marine sediments. However, the most recent HM discovery that was made in the Group 3 tenement block (Namib) has shown that there are ‘pockets’ of preserved marine sediments hosting higher grades of HM. Namib is the only genuine beach strandline deposit found to date along the southern coastal margin. This HM occurrence is entirely different in setting to Dromedary (higher elevated and basement controlled) or Gulliver’s (lagoonal and not concentrated).