Bendigo-Ophir gold mine proposal

The story so far

Australian-listed Santana Minerals bought about 800 hectares of Bendigo Station in Central Otago for $55 million, through its subsidiary Matakanui Gold Limited, to progress the proposed Bendigo-Ophir gold mine.^{17 Oct 2025} Actor and Central Otago resident Sam Neill criticised the proposed open pit mine near Tarras, called it toxic and pledged to fight it, while the company said it welcomes debate based on facts.^{22 Oct 2025} In November, New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals granted the company a 30-year mining permit for the gold mine near Cromwell, one of two major approvals needed before work can begin.^{5 Nov 2025}

Latest

The most recent development is the granting of a 30-year mining permit for the gold mine near Cromwell.^{5 Nov 2025}

What's next

A second major approval is still required before work can begin on the project.^{5 Nov 2025}

Key moments

1. 17 Oct 2025Santana Minerals buys about 800 hectares of Bendigo Station for $55 million.
2. 22 Oct 2025Sam Neill publicly opposes the proposed Bendigo-Ophir gold mine and pledges to fight it.
3. 5 Nov 2025Santana Minerals granted a 30-year mining permit, one of two required approvals.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.