Fast-track panel pauses Otago gold mine application a second time over natural justice concerns

Santana Minerals' $4.4 billion Bendigo–Ophir gold mine application has been paused for a second time after the expert panel ruled that denying environmental groups time to review 600 pages of newly submitted material would violate natural justice. The new documents include a previously omitted social impact assessment. A draft decision is now targeted for late November, with a final call due 20 January 2027.