Source: Radio New Zealand
The view towards the proposed mine site between Bendigo and Ophir. RNZ / Tess Brunton
Fast-track panel members are expected to make a decision on a proposed open-cast mine near Cromwell by late October, while Kā Rūnaka has signalled that granting approvals could be in breach of Treaty settlements.
Santana Minerals applied in November for consent to tap into a gold deposit between Bendigo and Ophir.
When fast-track panel convenor Jane Borthwick sought the company’s views on a 110-120 working-day decision timeframe in December Santana Minerals insisted that officials aim towards the default timeframe of 30 working days.
In a statement released on Thursday, Santana Minerals said the panel convener had confirmed a 140 working-day timeframe.
In a memo posted online, Borthwick said the longer time frame was partly because of Kā Rūnaka concerns about potential Treaty settlement breaches.
“Kā Rūnaka say their concerns are significant and immutable,” she said.
A seven-member panel had been appointed to assess the application and would start work on 25 February.
Santana Minerals chief executive Damian Spring Supplied
Santana Minerals chief executive Damian Spring said while a shorter timeframe was preferable, the confirmation of a decision by 29 October was a “critical transition point”.
“This is an important step forward and confirmation of a firm statutory decision date which gives the project clear line of sight through the fast-track process,” he said.
The panel will be chaired by former High Court judge Matthew Muir KC and includes Gina Sweetman, Philip Barry, Roger MacGibbon, Tim Mulliner, Peter Kensington and Douglas Johnson.
Santana said the members had expertise across mining, environmental science, planning, hydrology and geotechnical engineering.
Borthwick said Kā Rūnaka had sought a hearing on cultural evidence and legal issues.
The timeframe also included six weeks for expert conferencing.
Borthwick said she had appointed seven panel members instead of the usual three because of the wide range of subject-matter expertise required.
If approved, the project would carve out a 1000m by 850-metre open pit, plus three smaller satellite pits and a tailings dam.
Santana previously told shareholders that the company planned to extract its first gold by about March 2027.
The project has had [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/571161/otago-locals-range-from-curious-to-staunchly-opposed-on-giant-gold-mine fierce pushback from some residents who argue it could threaten local tourism and viticulture, and cause irreparable harm to the environment, making it unsuitable for fast-tracking.
Santana Minerals said the work to support its consent application was “one of the most intensive and comprehensive studies ever conducted on the Dunstan Mountains”, with environmental considerations central to project planning.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
