Santana Minerals has voluntarily paused its fast-track application for a gold mine near Cromwell in Central Otago.
The company announced the pause to shareholders on 25 June, saying it would use the time to supply further information and collaborate with regulators on conditions. The move is designed to ensure the panel has the information needed before making its determination, the company said.
A seven-person expert panel has been assessing the proposal for the gold deposit between Bendigo and Ophir, with a final decision previously scheduled for October. The company has requested that the panel, its advisers and the Environmental Protection Authority keep advancing their assessment during the pause.
Chief executive Damian Spring said the company expects the panel will issue a formal request for more information. "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.
The proposed open-cast operation would feature a main pit measuring 1000m by 850m, along with three smaller satellite pits and a tailings dam in the hills near Cromwell. The proposal has drawn opposition from some local residents concerned about landscape impacts and effects on existing industries.