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Stop Central Otago Gold Mine

  • 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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