Santana Minerals has voluntarily paused its Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project fast-track approval process to provide additional information following expert panel review, while maintaining the statutory timeline.
- Voluntary pause to provide extra data and workshop conditions
- Expert Panel to issue formal Request for Further Information
- Project work continues within statutory fast-track timeframe
- CEO emphasises thoroughness over speed in regulatory process
Voluntary Pause in Fast-track Approval Process
Santana Minerals Ltd (ASX:SMI, NZX:SMI) has opted to voluntarily pause its fast-track approvals process for the Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project (BOGP) to provide additional data and collaborate with regulators on conditions. This move comes after expert conferencing concluded last week and Minute 37 was issued by the Expert Panel overseeing the project’s assessment.
Executive Director and CEO Damian Spring described the pause as a strategic decision to ensure the Expert Panel has comprehensive information to make an informed decision. "This is a voluntary move by the Company post the expert-conferencing phase to ensure the expert panel assessing the application has all the information and data they would likely need to arrive at their decision," he said.
Request for Further Information and Ongoing Work
The Expert Panel will soon issue a formal Request for Further Information (RFI), which Santana Minerals intends to respond to within the statutory timeframe mandated by the Fast-track Approvals Act. Despite the pause, the company has requested that the Expert Panel, its advisors, and the Environmental Protection Authority continue their work on the application uninterrupted.
The company also confirmed that work on all aspects of the BOGP continues as planned, supporting the forthcoming RFI response. This approach aims to balance regulatory thoroughness with adherence to the project’s fast-track statutory deadlines.
Regulatory Timing and Project Implications
The Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project entered the hearing phase under the Fast-track Approvals Act earlier this month, with technical hearings scheduled throughout June and a statutory decision expected by late October 2026. Santana Minerals’ decision to pause and supply additional data follows a period of expert panel review and information requests, reflecting the complex environmental and regulatory considerations at play.
While the pause introduces some uncertainty around the precise timing of the final approval, the company remains within the statutory fast-track timeframe. This measured approach may help pre-empt potential regulatory hurdles and reduce the risk of delays later in the process.
Bottom Line?
Santana Minerals’ voluntary pause signals a cautious approach to regulatory approval that prioritises comprehensive data over speed, leaving the timing of final consent still uncertain.
Questions in the middle?
- What specific additional data will Santana Minerals provide in response to the RFI?
- Could the pause affect the planned construction timeline set for late 2026?
- How might the Environmental Protection Authority’s ongoing involvement influence final conditions?