Santana Minerals Limited (ASX: SMI) has adjusted the timeline for its Bendigo-Ophir gold project following guidance from the Expert Panel overseeing its Fast-track application. The panel, which issued Minute 41 on July 23, 2026, suggested the company align its resumption date with the delivery of fully workshopped consent conditions. In response, Santana has brought forward its deadline for submitting these final conditions to August 28, 2026, opting to forgo any further pauses in the regulatory process.

The company has invested approximately NZ$17.7 million into the permitting process to date. This expenditure covers a wide array of activities, including environmental, technical, and forensic investigations, as well as significant commitments to legal, planning, and advisory services. These efforts have involved extensive public hearings and dozens of expert conferences, aiming to provide the Expert Panel with a robust evidential record to support its final determination.

By finalizing these consent conditions in late August, the company expects the panel to move directly into substantive deliberations regarding the project. The accelerated submission timeline is intended to navigate around potential holiday period closures later in the year, ensuring the regulatory review remains on a productive trajectory.

"The Panel has been clear that its request relates to the time required to complete its statutory assessment and decision-making processes. We appreciate that clarity and have adjusted our timetable accordingly. The project continues to advance through the Fast-track process, and the finalisation of consent conditions in August will allow the Panel to move into substantive deliberations on its decision. We remain confident that Bendigo Ophir is well positioned to receive a positive outcome and, subject to approvals, commence development activities early 2027. We remain committed to working constructively with the Expert Panel to bring this process to a conclusion and deliver a project that meets New Zealand's environmental standards while providing enduring economic and social benefits."

— Damian Spring, Exec. Director & CEO

Management remains focused on maintaining a collaborative approach with all stakeholders, including iwi and technical regulators. Having navigated multiple rounds of information requests and detailed workshops, the leadership team considers the project well-positioned for a favorable outcome. Subject to securing the necessary approvals, the company continues to target the commencement of formal development activities at the site by early 2027. The latest update confirms the project’s progression remains firmly within the established Fast-track framework, with the board signaling its ongoing commitment to fulfilling all regulatory requirements to reach the next phase of the project's development. The shift to an August submission deadline marks a definitive step toward clearing the final procedural hurdles required to move the development into reality.

Read the full announcement: Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project - Fast Track Application Update