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Stop Central Otago Gold Mine

  • Mine's fast-track bid must be rejected: Ngāi Tahu

      16 April 2026
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    Santana's failure to meet treaty obligations means its fast-track application to mine gold at Bendigo must be rejected, Ngāi Tahu says.

    A submission by a Ngāi Tahu legal team to the deliberating fast-track panel said Santana’s application was ‘‘inconsistent’’ with obligations under the Ngāi Tahu Treaty Settlement Act.

    The inconsistency ‘‘prevents consent being granted’’, the submission said.

    Santana had failed to consult competently on its proposal with Kā Rūnaka, a collective of four Ngāi Tahu rūnaka comprising Te Rūnanga o Moeraki, Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki, Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou and Hokonui Rūnanga.

    Read the full article in this morning's ODT, or online at: https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/central-otago/mines-fast-track-bid-must-be-rejected-ng%C4%81i-tahu

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  • THANK YOU! You heard it directly from us first ...

      9 April 2026
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    As one of the thousands of people who has added their voice in opposition to Santana's controversial mine, we wanted you to hear this first, from us.

    Today, we filed our comments and expert reports to the fast track panel. It has been an intense few weeks of work, and our experts and legal team have been just brilliant. We will share more detail with you soon, and you'll be able to read as much of this as you wish in a few days' time once it is all live of the fast-track website.

    We wanted to take this moment to say a big thank you to all of you for the outpouring of support we have felt - from encouragement, to contributions to our fund, to speaking up in various ways. Thank you.

    This is just the start, and we look forward to supporting the panel in their decision making.

    We will update you again soon.

    The small team of volunteers at Sustainable Tarras Inc.

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  • Birds can't tell the difference between lakes and tailings dams

      3 April 2026
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    After landing on a toxic tailings dam, they can die.

    Research and news items provide plenty of evidence of this. In some instances, tens of thousands of birds have been killed. Yet Santana don't cover this phenomenon in their fast-track application.

    The Bendigo Wildlife Reserve is just 10.5km away - direct line - from the tailings dam, and his home to a significant population of birds. The Bendigo Conservation Area and Ardgour Conservation area are both close by. In fact the Ardgour Conservation Area borders the tailings dam.

    Image shown: tailings pond bird deaths in Alberta, Canada.

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  • Community engagement?

      24 March 2026
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    When Santana invited Sustainable Tarras to join their Community Liaison Group some months ago, we found that the ground rules set by Santana were so predetermined that we chose not to join. It appeared to us that the purpose of the group was to control questioning of Santana's plans, and avoid answering them. Classic text book communications control tactics.

    Our concerns have now been validated by one of the Community Liaison Group members, who has just resigned.

    From Saturday's article in the Post. Read his comments in our post here, or read the full article: https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360966448/dial-it-back-expert-urges-santana-stop-confrontation-over-controversial-gold-mine?fbclid=IwY2xjawQu5AdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF1OExKWnRTSVFxTWdHclkxc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHs21fTFzM7jLGt1uTUdGqdVUUHDFpNEZAf2Zv9GFMjDA48fnR0L56rLaMFsu_aem_IqrHIMwxnCzgMCqES8p7qQ

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  • Dig, baby, Dig - a high risk strategy

      21 March 2026
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    Supporters of Santana's fast-track mine talk about bonds paid by mining companies. They say that they form an adequate safeguard in case of mine failure.

    It appears that this is not the experience in Australia. By a long shot.

    Ian Magee was appointed by local government as a representative to the environment committee for the Bendigo gold project in Victoria, Australia. In this article, he shares his experience of mining bonds.

    Read the full article here:

    https://www.odt.co.nz/.../%E2%80%98dig-baby-dig%E2%80%99...

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  • It's official!

      12 March 2026
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    We welcomed the news last night that Sustainable Tarras is invited to make submissions to the Fast-Track panel. Our intention is to bring the significant concerns of people living in the communities adjacent to and downstream of the mine to the panel.

    We have been working closely with a team of experts who are preparing independent reports, including analysis of some of Santana’s key application documents, as well as with our legal team.

    We’re focussing now on having our reports and submissions ready on time. Thank you everyone for your continued support. We have 20 working days to do this.

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  • A marathon, not a sprint!

      6 March 2026

    Now that the Expert Panel has been appointed to oversee Santana Mineral's mine application, our work has got that much more intense. Your donations, and those of other parties, has meant we've been able to engage experts to help us get good evidence in front of this Panel. We are grateful. Please take 15 minutes to watch our mate's Central Otago Environment Society love story to Bendigo.

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  • Boom!

      6 March 2026
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    Earlier this week, we passed our goal of $20,000 of funds raised on Givealittle.

    A massive and heartfelt thank you to the 112 generous donors who have made this happen.

    All funds are being spent on awareness raising campaigns, legal support and experts who can help us unpack and critique Santana's 9,400 page application.

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  • What does a gold mine processing plant actually look like?

      24 February 2026
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    Many people haven’t actually seen a gold mine processing plant. Well, this is a shot showing some of the plant at Macraes mine in Otago, near Palmerston.

    The one planned for the Dunstan Mountains will be 1km long, and will include six large cyanide tanks. Plus most likely a couple of chimney stacks belching out ammonia and nasties coming off the gold furnace..

    As someone recently said: “Now there’s something to look forward to …”

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  • From Helen Clark to Sam Neill

      17 February 2026

    “Into the Dunstan Mountains” is a 6 minute mini-documentary featuring Sam Neill. Sam shares some of the details of an open pit gold mine which Australian company Santana Minerals is trying to push through fast-track, and his concerns about the project.

    The film was shot in late January 2026 and premiered to a small audience, just a few kms from the proposed mine site, in a small cinema in the Dunstan Mountains.

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    • 25/02/2026 by Tony

      Sam Neill is 100% correct in what he has stated. I am old enough to remember the dredge tailings adjacent to the Clutha and the unsightly mess that this presented. What is proposed is on a vast industrial scale, leading to further mining operations that will change the profile of the centre of Otago forever. 2 grams of gold extracted for every 21 tonnes of rock processed is absolute lunacy. Why is an Australian company who have never mined before permitted to even make this application. Australia has enough gold and other minerals in its own back yard to mine. Like our major trading banks all the profit goes back to Australia and we are left with an environmental mess. Greed has no bounds.

  • A new member joins our team!

      16 February 2026
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    Following is a video message from Rt Hon Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and UNDP Administrator, about the fast-track mine proposed by Santana Minerals in Central Otago. She sent this to us between engagements on a trip in Europe.

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  • An open letter to Prime Minister Luxon in Stuff from Sir Ian Taylor

      12 February 2026
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    Here is some of what Ian wrote..."Throughout the interview, opposition to the Bendigo project was repeatedly described as coming from “luminaries”, a shorthand that aligns neatly with the language of “elites” so often used by the Minister of Resources, Shane Jones. It’s a framing where concern is recast as privilege, and questioning is dismissed as ideological and disconnected from “real people” and “real jobs”, the “blue-collar workers” Jones says he is standing up for.

    But what gets lost in that framing are the many ordinary people who are also asking questions. Farmers, growers, tourism operators, and families who live downstream from the proposed mine. People whose livelihoods already exist, who employ others, and who will still be here long after the mine has closed.

    These are people who come to the fast-track process with one arm firmly tied behind their backs. They don’t have the access or resources companies like Santana can bring to bear. They don’t have teams of advisers, or the time and money, to engage full time in Wellington."

    Read the full article here: https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360936682/sir-ian-taylor-prime-minister-when-science-says-no-will-your-government-listen?fbclid=IwY2xjawP6Wz1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE3UEFRVk9RWndjT1FEYzNDc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHop4FHMQ8jMCwX3d20ibxQVRcdefHIRcZ3I9MpApuorxc08LQM7VLKuzxWJM_aem_hxJsXcPEOvVl3MsO8mT_8w

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  • Important update about Santana's Fast-Track application

      6 February 2026
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    The Fast-Track convener assigned to Santana’s application made an important set of decisions - the timetable has been set, and the panel chosen. The fast-track panel of 7 experts officially begins work on 25 February 2026. Participants will be invited by 11 March to comment, and will have up to 20 working days to submit their comments and evidence. A decision on Santana’s application will be made due 29 October 2026.

    We are relieved to see that the panel convenor has taken into account the many concerns raised by ORC, CODC, DOC, NZ heritage and Iwi. The 140 day panel review period and the further delayed start of the process is confirmation that Santana has failed in their effort to pressure the agencies and the convenor into a superficial and fast review, as they tried when they requested a 30 and later 60 day review.

    Likewise, the panel of 7 experts we understand is the largest of any fast track projects to date, and testimony to the complexity, impacts and risks that this project brings. We are cautiously optimistic that this panel will be able to identify the gaps in the data, the overstated economic case, and the underestimation of environmental impacts.

    We also remain hopeful that the panel will invite a wide range of affected parties, including ourselves. We have therefore taken steps to engage experts in areas where we believe we can add evidence to what we understand the agencies will be submitting.

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    • 17/02/2026 by Julie

      In no way, shape or form should this mine be allowed to happen. The money (and it's a small amount staying in the country) is simply not worth the destruction of land and effects on the surrounding area. The tailings dam is going to be as big as the Clyde Dam! Lets be clear, if that fails then we have ruined the area for us and future generations.

  • Breaking news

      30 January 2026
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    After the spokesperson for the New Zealand mining industry came out slapping opposition to Santana's mine as "NIMBY" and misinformed, Sir Ian Taylor has invited her to a live debate about Santana's fast-track proposal. In Tarras. Right near where the mine will be.

    We'd love to see that.

    What strikes us is that those speaking up in favour of this mine - and Josie appears to want to be the cheerleader - roll out the same, tired arguments over and over.

    "We need these minerals." Ah, no. "There are safeguards in place." How's that working for Australian gold mines? "Other industries have similar or worse impacts on the environment". Right ho. ... etc etc

    Bring on an informed, adult discussion (or debate) about this. We'll supply the popcorn. We'll even stump up for the hire of the Tarras Community Hall.

    You can read Sir Ian's letter to Josie Vidal here: https://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/josie-let%E2%80%99s-have-debate-about-santana-proposal

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  • BREAKING NEWS re Santana's fast-track application

      24 January 2026
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    Details contained in this article from Crux.

    "In a detailed release of documents from the convener of the Fast Track panel today, Santana comes under fire for slow or non-existent responses to requests for information from the Central Otago District Council (CODC) the Otago Regional Council (ORC) as well as DOC, Heritage NZ and Iwi.

    The overall effect of these shortcomings is that it looks likely the mine consent hearing will run for between 120 and 140 days … with even Santana moving their request from 30 to 60 days."

    We are not at all surprised, but remain highly concerned. See comments from Sustainable Tarras at the bottom of the article.

    Read the article in full here: https://crux.org.nz/crux-news/bendigo-mine-fast-track-application-hits-major-slow-obstacles

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  • In case you missed it this week ...

      23 January 2026
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    Tim Hazledine is an emeritus professor of economics, University of Auckland. He looks at the pros and cons of the controversial fast-track mine in Central Otago.

    You can read the full article here:https://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/playing-percentages-when-it-comes-mining

    Let's try and stop this mine: start by adding your voice to the thousands of people who have already at eepurl.com/jsaheU and you can also find out other ways to help here: sustainabletarras.com/nomine/

    Please like, follow and share widely on social media, to ensure that lots of people see this.

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  • Don't say you weren't warned. The front page of a recent Otago Daily Times says it all. The miners are coming at Otago, hard.

      17 January 2026
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    The miners are coming at Otago, hard. Shane Jones has told them "it's all on!", and fast-track gives them a route to get their projects up and running, with reduced community input and less consideration for the environment.

    Just look at that map. There's barely a community in Otago that won't be affected in some way. One mining leader has even told the media that Otago is "the new West Africa".

    This is not just about the Bendigo-Ophir mine that Santana are trying to foist on us. It's about that mine AND what comes next. And have no doubt - the mining community is watching to see what happens with Santana's toxic, controversial mine.

    Let's try and stop this mine: start by adding your voice to the thousands of people who have already at eepurl.com/jsaheU and you can also find out other ways to help here: sustainabletarras.com/nomine/ Please spread the word. We number over 3,500 and growing.

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  • Bendigo, Australia has been here before and has some advice . . .

      13 January 2026
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    Ian Magee of the Bendigo District Environment Council shares his experience around how Australian mining companies treat communities.

    Let's go into this with our eyes wide open.

    Bendigo (Australia) has been left with an utter disaster to deal with after a "responsible" mining project was pushed through, with all the usual guarantees.

    Let's try and stop this mine: start by adding your voice to the thousands of people who have already at eepurl.com/jsaheU and you can also find out other ways to help here: sustainabletarras.com/nomine/

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  • Gold Mine: The (almost) impossible battle that regional New Zealand can't win.

      23 December 2025
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    As part of the in depth investigation by Crux into the controversial Santana mine, the editorial team looked closely at how Santana has behaved so far. We have to say, it's pretty accurate: https://crux.org.nz/crux-news/gold-mine/

    If you haven't already, please add your voice to the thousands of people who have already at eepurl.com/jsaheU.

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  • They're at it again!

      19 December 2025
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    Santana's cynical approach to cut timeframes down as much as possible is not in the interests of good decision making, and shows a lack of respect for our environment and our community.

    A week ago, fast track Panel Convener Jane Borthwick stated that "the scale, nature and complexity of Santana's fast track application "suggest that a timeframe exceeding 90 working days may be warranted" and possibly 110-120 working days. She asked Santana to share their thoughts.

    Yesterday, Santana wrote to the Panel Convener stating that "the shorter end of [30-60 days] is appropriate."

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  • Would you like a side order of quicklime with that?

      13 December 2025
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    Here's a comprehensive list of the "predicted max. volume" of hazardous substances Australian mining company Santana plans to have on site at any given time. All of these are "harmful to aquatic life", and some are very toxic, with long lasting effects. These are ongoing, operational amounts to be stored on site. Which means that significant amounts of these substances will be used on an ongoing basis, and stocks of all of these will be replenished. It also means that ALL of these toxic substances will be trucked for hundreds of kms on our roads, frequently. These are risks none of us want in or anywhere near our environment.

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  • "I would not like to live downstream of a tailings dam . . ."

      13 December 2025
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    Wise words from Simon Upton, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment on fast-track decisions involving tailings dams. We're equally concerned about irreversible decisions with intergenerational impacts being made in short timeframes, with reduced levels of community involvement and environmental scrutiny.

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  • Ever driven past Clyde Dam?

      5 December 2025
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    Perhaps you've gone to the observation point to size it up. It's huge - in fact New Zealand's biggest.

    Santana's toxic tailings dam will be made of waste rubble, and the dam wall will be higher than the wall of the Clyde Dam at Lake Dunstan.

    One huge dam, made out of porous schist waste rock rubble, holding back thousands of tons of toxic sludge slowly leaching its way through and into the downstream soils and waterways.

    Sources: Cromwell Museum and Santana's fast track application

    Let's try and stop this mine: start by adding your voice to the thousands of people who have already at eepurl.com/jsaheU and you can also find out other ways to help here: sustainabletarras.com/nomine/

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  • Santana seeking to limit submitters (further)

      29 November 2025
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    On the front page of Santana Minerals website, and elsewhere, the company claims to be "environmentally responsible". On the front page of the ODT today, it's revealed that they're trying to make environmental scrutiny and community concern have even less impact in the consenting process.

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  • We're outraged.

      24 November 2025
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    At the beginning of last week, Santana sent their submission in on the controversial Fast-Track Approvals Amendment Bill, in which Santana asked for an amendment to further reduce the community's opportunity to be heard.

    They have asked for the clause which says "Comments may be invited from any other person the panel considers appropriate" to be deleted. So that would mean groups like Sustainable Tarras, environment-focussed groups, community groups, and most probably individuals like ... you.

    Shame on Santana. Their true colours are shining through.

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  • World-class, environmentally responsible and economically sustainable project?

      20 November 2025
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    Santana Minerals CEO Damian Spring has claimed in the media that “the Bendigo-Ophir gold mine is a world-class, environmentally responsible and economically sustainable project". Since early June this year, we've been asking Santana Minerals if they will commit to the highest international environmental, social and governance standards. They have not committed to any of these. You can see out full list of questions here: https://sustainabletarras.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/santana-mining-permit-application-feb-2025-sustainable-tarras-questions.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawOLdaFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF2QUtvT2lrVUFoZjlDbFRZc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHron1Pd66V3aKWO1kbMX-4xr7UmldPefslTUGycNE5ymhu27d1_6urP0CCd9_aem_qEEbrhrxaHbOQxY2gD6cxw

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  • Thank you for your generosity!

      19 November 2025
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    Please see how else you can help us here, and share with your network:

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  • If the Fast Track wasn't already stacked in the favour of miners, it certainly will be with the proposed amendments!

      10 November 2025
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    Sustainable Tarras spokesperson Rob van der Mark said the group was “highly concerned” by Resources Minister Shane Jones’ celebration of a “golden era” for mining - remarks made just one day after Santana Minerals lodged its 9,400-page fast-track application for its Bendigo–Ophir Gold Project with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).

    https://centralapp.nz/NewsStory/sustainable-tarras-fast-track-process-stacked-in-favour-of-miners/690ee3e3739331002ef0e9c3

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  • 'Toxic': Actor Sam Neill slams Central Otago mine proposal

      30 October 2025
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    Sam Neill on the mine proposal. “Why would you visit this kind of environmental catastrophe onto a region that is thriving, that is in the midst of what many of us think of as a renaissance? The future of Central Otago lies in its bike trails, vineyards, cafes, in good farming practice, and a diverse and growing population of people, young and old, who genuinely care about the future of where we live,” he said.

    https://www.tiktok.com/@samneillofficial/video/7563828550415994120

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  • Poisoning paradise? The gold mine set to tear apart a community and country

      1 October 2025

    Cyanide contaminating an iconic river, or rivers of gold for Central Otago? Arsenic poisoning famous pinot noir vines, or growth, jobs and prosperity? A controversial gold mine in Central Otago is dividing a community and country, and highlighting fears about irreversible decisions. Mike White investigates.

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  • Lack of consultation has community concerned - Otago Daily Times 13.9.25

      16 September 2025
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    While Santana Minerals is churning out announcements to the Australian Stock Exchange which imply they have permission, they're spending no time talking directly to the local Bendigo Tarras Community.

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  • Santana has ‘completely failed’ to share mine information

      30 August 2025

    "They promised to be open and share and instead are closing down." We ran a successful Cromwell community event during the week - heaps of questions, including ecology, the fast track legislation, the tailings dam and more. Thanks to everyone who made the effort to go.

    https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/central-otago/santana-%E2%80%98completely-failed%E2%80%99-share-mine-info

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  • Santana Minerals purchases the Ardgour Station

      12 July 2025

    You may have heard about Santana's announcement that they have purchased the Ardgour Station, which is one of the two hill country stations where the mine operations are proposed. While it sounds like a done deal, the sale needs both the Overseas Investment Office's approval and consents for it to happen. So we're not done yet! https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/santana-minerals-25m-bendigo-ophir-land-purchase-changes-nothing-for-opposing-locals/F2LTTEGM25GMLCIG5EIDZR3U4Y/#google_vignette

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  • Submission to CODC full council meeting about mine concerns

      29 June 2025
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    Rob van der Mark of Sustainable Tarras made a submission to the full council meeting of CODC, to update councillors about the community’s significant concerns around the fast-track mine proposal.

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  • Community Meetings - coming up in Dunedin & Wanaka

      14 June 2025

    You're invited! Join us in Dunedin (June 17) or Wanaka (June 19) to hear more about the Bendigo Ophir Goldmine proposal and what you can do about it.

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  • Nimbys or Yimbys?

      27 March 2025

    While this article accuses us of nimbyism and suggests that Sustainable Tarras was involved in the Lammermore windfarm case in the 1990s (spoiler, we weren't), we'd like to say we're yimbys. Yes, to development that aligns with community values and provides for a sustainable future. There ain't nothing sustainable about gold mining. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/tarras-locals-oppose-major-gold-mining-development-in-their-backyard/FL4LPOZZHVCKTG2SKOROTWZNBY/. Thanks so much to those of you who have donated - 20% towards our target and climbing!

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