Fast-track application for Otago gold mine paused

The company planning an open-cast gold mine in the hills near Cromwell in Central Otago has announced a voluntary pause on its fast-track application.

In an announcement to shareholders on Thursday, 25 June, Santana Minerals said it was taking extra time "to enable the provision of additional data, reports and time to workshop conditions with the regulators."

A seven-person fast-track panel has been considering the company's application to tap into a gold deposit between Bendigo and Ophir.

A final decision was expected in October.

If approved, the project would carve out a 1000m by 850m open pit, plus three smaller satellite pits and a tailings dam.

The proposal has prompted strong pushback from some residents who fear it will scar the unique landscape and harm existing industries.

Santana Minerals said it had asked the expert panel, its advisors and the Environmental Protection Authority to keep working on the application.

In a statement, chief executive Damian Spring said the company was expecting a formal Request for Further Information from the panel, after which it would assess the timing of its response.

"This is a voluntary move by the company post the expert-conferencing phase to ensure the expert panel assessing the application has all the information and data they would likely need to arrive at their decision," Spring said.