Fast-track panel pauses Otago gold mine application again over natural justice concerns

Santana Minerals' $4.4 billion Bendigo–Ophir gold mine application has been paused again. The expert panel ruled that denying environmental groups time to review 600 pages of new material — including a previously omitted social impact assessment — would breach natural justice, the right to a fair hearing. A draft decision is now due late November, with a final call by 20 January 2027.