+Fast-Track Context Document
This document sets out an agenda for our Fast-track context meeting and any
further information. The key purpose is to identify and co-ordinate the information
and resource required to facilitate a pre-application meeting.
Act
Key Information
Purpose of meeting
Things to remember
• Providing a brief overview of any project
• Context meeting attendees are facilitating with project
information available to date. Sharing knowledge.
scoping and will not necessarily become an ongoing project
resource.
• Identifying:
o inputs and resources required to facilitate a pre
• During pre-application consultation we can provide advice
application meeting with applicants.
that could influence the standard of their application and
level of information they provide.
o information DOC needs to provide efficient pre
application advice.
• Giving thorough advice is key. Once an application is lodged
our ability to request further information may be limited.
o any potential risk management
Information
o likely timeframes to progress.
• Ask attendees to consider whether they have any conflicts of
interest
Project Details
Project name:
Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project
Official
Engagement type:
DOC preparing for consultation/lodgement of substantive application
Date of meeting:
TBC the
Applicant/agent:
: Environment Manager, Santana Minerals Limited
Proposal overview:
BOGP comprises a new gold mine, ancillary facilities and environmental
mitigation measures. The BOGP involves mining the identified gold deposits at
Rise and Shine ("RAS"), Come in Time ("CIT") and Srex ("SRX"). The resources
will be mined by open pit methods at each location identified above, with
under
underground mining methods also proposed to be utilised at RAS. The majority
of the mining activities, ancillary facilities and associated infrastructure will be
located in Shepherds Valley, with an additional general and administration area
located on the adjoining Ardgour Terraces area
The proposal is not on PCL - but is possible that some targeted areas of Public
Conservation Land will be the subject of off-site mitigation and compensation
package
Note applicant has indicated lodgement April 29 2025
Released
Location:
The project is located on Bendigo and Ardgour Stations in the Dunstan
Mountains of Central Otago. The project site is located within Minerals
Exploration Permit 60311, which is approximately 20 km north of Cromwell
Te Kawanatanga
oAotearoa
New Zealand Government
Act
Date pre-lodgement request
Information
received:
Documents provided by applicant:
List
Risk and priority assessment via
Triage Status:
Official
Fast-track project lead DOC:
Marie Payne - Senior Fast-track Advisor National Office�
DOC permissions and approvals
•
Conservation Act 1987 - A conservation covenant under section
the
that may be required as part of FT
77 of the Reserves Act applies to the land
process (identified by applicant in pre
o
Concession
lodgement request)
o
Covenant (amending or revoking)
•
Access arrangements under the crown minerals act
•
Freshwater Fisheries Permissions
•
Authorities under Wildlife Act 1953
under
DOC team/specialists that may be
Fast-track Project Lead
required in pre-app meeting:
RMAPlanner
Permissions Advisor(s)
Statutory Manager (Regional Office)
Concessions/Commercial advisor
Statutory Land Management Advisor
Released
National Management Planning Advisor (Statutory Docs)
Project history to date (including
The project site is subject to a covenant which was a product of Tenure review
any known existing consents):
finalised in the early 90's and the covenant was placed in 2001. The covenant
predominately seeks to protect heritage and conversation values across the site
(biodiversity/conversation approach not across all of site).
Over the last few years the applicant has sought DOC approval via letters of
authority for exploration activity (dril ing holes/tracks) and DOC has undertaken
photo point monitoring. The area of the site rise and shine has higher
protection.
The mining proposal appears to be a next step by the applicant fol owing the Act
exploration activity, DOC has previously advised the applicant that mining is
prohibited on the site under the current covenant which has been previously
varied to enable exploration activities. More information here
9(2)(g)(i)
Any knowledge on applicant
compliance history:
DOC commentary on fast track
Conservation Act Permissions/Approvals
Information
approvals and permissions
Potential issues to consider …
identified (based on information provided):
Wildlife Act Permissions
Potential issues to consider
Concessions Potential issues to consider
Official
the
Treaty partners:
Commentary from the applicant While the Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act
1998 applies to the geographical location of the project we are not aware of any
specific Treaty of Waitangi settlement obligations affecting the project site. No
statutory acknowledgements apply to the site. Consultation has been initiated
with local iwi/hapū.
under
Any known Treaty settlement
implications/considerations:
(NB: Grace or Amelia to complete template)
Any known Section 4 Conservation
Act 1987
implications/considerations:
Potential Resource Management
Potential issues to consider
Act (RMA) considerations and
Released
effects:
Note: DOC’s role in relation to
53(2)(m)(i) FTAA
Any Statutory Planning Document
considerations in relation to site
(e.g. CGP/CMS/CMP):
Any Conservation Management
Act
Plan implications for the project:
Any specific information requests
Recommend further engagement prior to substantive application if project
to applicants for pre-app
progresses as this would enable us to give more focused feedback.
engagement at this point:
Any further
Critical considerations appear to be:
information/considerations
(including risks/opportunities)
•
Proposals alignment with heritage values (historic gold mining sites) as
per the covenant
•
Proposals alignment with protecting and enhancing the natural
character of the land in accordance with the covenant (including wildlife
Information
– lizards, birds, habitat and fauna) and freshwater
•
Potential activities / impacts on adjoining/adjacent PCL
Summary of any additional
N/A have requested further information from the applicant.
consultation with Applicant
Official
Additional Notes:
While DOC wil assist applicants as much as we can when they engage in pre-
lodgement consultation, it is applicants’ responsibility to comply with the Act and
to ensure they have applied for all permissions they need.
the
Actions / Next steps
•
under
Released
