Santana Minerals is rapidly advancing its scoping study into the Rise and Shine gold exploration area near Bendigo, and is on track to submit a consent application in February 2025.

Chief executive Damian Spring spoke to the Cromwell Community Board on Tuesday (September 17) about the company’s plans, which expects to make $4.4 billion from gold generation over the next 10 years.

The company will be employing up to 250 people both from within the wider Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes districts, as well as through expert consultants.

Damian spoke at the meeting about what would happen if the government was to review what royalties were generated by the company, and what portion would be offered to the community.

This would include both Cromwell and Tarras, he said.

“The Tarras community have let us know where they sit.”

Sustainable Tarras, a lobby group set up to investigate the now shelved airport proposal, has also been strong in its opposition to Santana Minerals' plans for a gold mine.

The company will be carrying out a series of public consultation meetings in both Tarras and Cromwell in coming weeks, and has also invited people to drop into its office in Chardonnay St.

Questions were asked at the meeting about whether the company was doing anything proactive for accommodation, and whether this would be offered onsite.

Damian said nothing long term would be established onsite, adding: “but we recognise that bringing in 100 people into the area will bring in extra pressure”.

A temporary camp for 80 people would be set up for those expert contractors who were travelling from afar to come and do their work, and who were only around for a short period.

Central Otago District mayor Tim Cadogan said there was also sensitivity within the wine growing industry about the proposed gold mining activity, particularly when Bendigo had been designated a wine growing area.

“I think it’s too early to judge that right now, about the impacts on them,” Damian said.

PHOTO: Supplied