Santana lodges fast-track application for controversial Otago goldmine

Monday, 3 November 2025

The Bendigo-Ophir mine would comprise four open pits, the largest a kilometre long and 200m deep, and a 2km-tailings dam to hold toxic slurry.

Australian miner Santana Minerals has formally applied for fast-track consent for a controversial, huge goldmine in Central Otago.

The application was made through Santana’s wholly owned subsidiary Matakanui Gold.

The application documents have not yet been uploaded to the Government’s fast-track website, but Santana indicated they would show the Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project would directly create 351 jobs.

The mine would increase economic activity by $5.8 billion and generate $1.8b in tax and royalty revenues to the Crown over its near 14-year life, it said.

The project has stirred up some strong opposition in Central Otago, as the likes of local wine growers have come to appreciate the size of the mine that is being proposed.

Critics include actor and local vintner Sam Neill who has labelled the proposed mining operation “toxic”, arguing it would create an environmental catastrophe in a region that was currently thriving economically.

Santana chief executive Damian Spring says the mine would meet “the highest environmental and social standards”.

The mine would comprise four open pits, the largest of which would be 1km wide and 200m deep and which would not be filled in, as well as an underground mine targeting a richer gold seam.

It would also involve the construction of a kilometre-long processing plant where rock would be crushed and gold leached using up to 1900kg of cyanide a day — a traditional process for gold extraction — as well as a 2km-long tailings dam where toxic slurry would be stored in perpetuity.

Santana said in a statement to the NZX that its proposals included “an extensive suite” of mitigation measures that exceeded requirements and that would set “a new benchmark for environmental and biodiversity assessment of natural-resource projects” in the region.

Matakanui managing director and Santana chief executive Damian Spring said the mine would meet “the highest environmental and social standards and deliver lasting benefits to the Central Otago region”.

Santana is listed on the Australian and New Zealand share markets, where it is valued at A$624m (NZ$757m).

It said it expected consent for the mine would be granted by June next year in a statement that did not make reference to the possibility of consent instead being declined.

It has so far spent more than $8m on studies for the mine and Matakanui has entered into agreements with local landowners to buy the land that would be mined, subject to approval also being granted by the Overseas Investment Office.