Bendigo-Ophir Gold Mine Faces Extended Assessment Period
Santana Minerals' Bendigo-Ophir gold mine project in New Zealand will undergo a 140-day fast-track assessment, with a decision expected by late October. This decision follows a January conference where local councils, government agencies, and iwi argued for a longer assessment period due to the project's complexity. The assessment will be conducted by a seven-member expert panel, chaired by Hon Matthew Muir KC, with expertise in mining, planning, environmental science, hydrology, and geotechnical engineering. The project involves open-cast and underground mining above Cromwell and has raised concerns about its environmental impact and potential treaty settlement issues. The extended timeframe allows for thorough evaluation and consideration of outstanding information requests and potential mediation or hearings. 
