New Gold Mine Project in Central Otago Takes Major Step Forward

New Zealand’s largest gold mining initiative, the Bendigo-Ophir project, has reached a significant milestone by submitting an extensive application to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This submission consists of approximately 9,500 pages of documentation and 135 reports, accompanied by a fee of $390,000. The processing of the application will commence once it is formally accepted by the EPA.

Company’s Commitment to Environmental Standards

According to Damian Spring, chief executive of Santana Minerals, the application marks a crucial turning point for both the company and the Central Otago region. He stated, “This isn’t simply a permit milestone. It’s a signal that New Zealand can still take high-value projects from concept to delivery with discipline, environmental stewardship, and community partnership.”

So far, Santana has invested more than $8 million in baseline and technical work for the project. Spring emphasized the rigorous nature of the fast-track approval process, asserting it requires equal, if not greater, scrutiny than previous systems. “What it does bring is certainty and that matters for investment, regional jobs, and national productivity,” he noted.

The Bendigo-Ophir project is particularly notable as it positions Santana as only the second listed mining company to file a full fast-track application, making it one of the earliest projects under the new approval regime. The project aims to extract approximately 1.25 million ounces of gold, supported by a reserve grade of roughly 2.5 grams per tonne. Santana forecasts an annual production of up to 120,000 ounces, contributing an estimated NZD $5.8 billion to the economy over its projected lifespan of over 14 years.

Community Engagement and Environmental Stewardship

Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley highlighted the region’s rich gold history and emphasized the need for any new mining proposal to respect that heritage. She stated, “Our community values the unique landscapes, biodiversity, and water quality that define Central Otago. It is essential that this process does not come at the expense of robust environmental scrutiny.”

Alley also stressed the importance of genuine commitment to environmental stewardship and meaningful engagement with local communities, known as mana whenua. Residents can monitor the progress of the proposal through the Fast Track Act website, which will provide updates as the application moves through the necessary approvals.

The fast-track process begins with a referral and is followed by a substantive application for the required approvals. After submission, the fast-track team will assess the application for completeness before it is reviewed by an expert panel. This panel may invite public comments and organize additional information needed for their decision, and could opt to hold a hearing. If approved, the panel will issue conditions for the project.

Spring noted that the Bendigo-Ophir project stems from a significant discovery made in 2021, which identified one of the most substantial gold systems found in New Zealand in the last 40 years. This builds upon geological work initiated in the valley in 2012 by New Zealand geologist Kim Bunting.

With the application officially lodged, Santana is now focused on maintaining construction readiness and finalizing engineering plans to ensure a smooth transition into development upon receiving the necessary approvals. Initial modeling indicates the project could create hundreds of jobs during construction and long-term operating roles once mining operations commence.

As the fast-track approval process unfolds, the implications for both local employment and the national economy are substantial. The expectation is that more than 60% of the project’s returns will remain in New Zealand through wages, services, taxes, and royalties.

At this stage, representatives from Sustainable Tarras have not responded to requests for comment regarding the project.