OIAD-5275 – Matakanui Gold Ltd. (Santana Minerals Ltd.)
Summary of internal correspondence (31/10/2024-26 May 2025)
Abbreviations
BAU Business as usual
JR John Roberts (SSI Statutory Manager)
CC
Conservation Covenant
JS
Jenna Sinclair (Senior Ranger, Community)
CS Charlie Sklenar (Operations Manager)
MGL Matakanui Gold Ltd. (Santana Minerals)
CO
Central Otago (District Office)
PM
Pauline Marshall (Ranger, Community)
DDG Deputy-Director General Policy and Regulatory Services
DS
Donna Shepherd (SSI Statutory Manager)
FT Fast Track
FTT Fast Track Team
DATE
DOCUMENT TITLE
DESCRIPTION
Parties
Theme
Comment
15/11/2024 15 November 2024 R and E
Discussion regarding MGL’s proposed Restoration and Enhancement Plan for
JR/JS
MGL mineral exploration
BAU
Plan
mineral exploration drilling vehicle access tracks within Bendigo CC.
vehicle access tracks
Bendigo CC
19/11/2024 19 November 2024 Re
Request for background context on MGL Bendigo mineral exploration activities.
DDG/JR/FTT
FT background information
FT
Bendigo context - Meeting
JR provided a summary of the exploration activities and DOC District Office
gathering
with EDS on Thursday 2.30-
approvals to date.
3.30pm
19/11/2024 19 November 2024 How are
Follow up email checking on progress with provision of Bendigo overview email
Siobhan Quayle/JR
FT information gathering
FT
you going on Bendigo
to DDG.
overview email
20/11/2024 20 November 2024 Re
Sourcing information internally ahead of a meeting with the Environmental
JR/DDG /Siobhan
FT information gathering
FT
Bendigo
Defence Society (EDS).
Quayle/Aaron
Fleming/Phillippa Fox/
Amelia Smith
08/12/2024 8.12.2024 Bendigo
Feedback and comments re: memo/approval letter for MGL application to
JR/JS
MGL mineral exploration
BAU
undertake mineral exploration drilling activities within Bendigo CC.
drilling application
Bendigo CC
09/12/2024 8 December 2024 Bendigo
JS response to JR feedback/comments re: memo/approval letter for MGL
JS/JR
MGL mineral exploration
BAU
application to undertake mineral exploration drilling activities within Bendigo CC.
drilling application
Bendigo CC
06/01/2025 9 February 2025 pre-app
Request for CO District Office communications/consultation information with
FTT/JR/DS
FT background information
FT
MGL/Santana in order to compile all information in one place for FT application
gathering
pre-consult.
Advised al correspondence to date has been for approvals to undertake mineral
exploration drilling only within the Bendigo CC.
15/01/2025 15 Jan RE: Matakanui Gold
Notification from FT Applications Manager to multiple internal staff advising a
FT Applications
FT related
FT
Ltd, Bendigo-Ophir Gold
list from MfE of Fast-Track Projects likely to be lodged with EPA. Response from
Manager/JR/multiple
Project (FTA107)
JR providing background context on the area and MGL’s mineral exploration
DOC staff
activities within the Bendigo CC.
17/01/2025 17.1.2025 RE: Fast Track
FTT requesting any communication/consultations that has occurred on the
FTT/JR/DS/JS/CS
FT information gathering
FT
Application Inquiries -
MGL’s Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project project/s in the SSI region.
Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project
JR provided requested material, including seeking advice on Sustainable Tarras
Released under the Official Information Act
(Community Group) requesting a talking spot with Otago Conservation Board,
regarding Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project.
DATE
DOCUMENT TITLE
DESCRIPTION
Parties
Theme
Comment
21/01/2025 21 Jan 2025 E: Presentations
Similar email thread as
17.1.2025 RE: Fast Track Application Inquiries - Bendigo-
FT Applications
FT related – third parties
FT
to the Otago Conservation
Ophir Gold Project – with the further request for clarification of if there are any
Manager/JR/ multiple
Board from parties with an
policy or process impediment to conservation boards receiving presentations
DOC staff
interest in the
from third parties with an interest in FT applications
Santana/Bendigo
mining proposal
30/01/2025 30 Jan 2025 RE: Bendigo
Discussion and request for internal meeting, regarding upcoming MGL mineral
Aaron
MGL mineral exploration
BAU
authority
exploration drilling application within the Bendigo CC, including response to
Fleming/CS/JR/JS
drilling application
meeting from SSI Director
Bendigo CC
31/01/2025 29.1.2025-31.1.2025 Bendigo Discussion regarding the requirement for MGL to provide a comprehensive
JR/JS/CS
BAU
BAU
Authority
Restoration and Enhancement Plan for mineral exploration drilling works within
MGL mineral exploration
the Bendigo CC.
drilling.
Bendigo CC
05/02/2025 5 February 2025
Internal discussion regarding the need to obtain a 2025 track rehabilitation
JR/CS/JS
BAU
BAU
Rehabilitation - Bendigo
update from MGL.
MGL mineral exploration
drilling.
Bendigo CC
05/02/2025 5.5.2025 FYI Bendigo - maps
Background context on MGL proposal application to undertake further mineral
JR/CS/JS
MGL mineral exploration
BAU
for your context
exploration drilling activities within the Bendigo CC.
drilling within Bendigo CC
Includes multiple attachments emails between JR and FTT, CC document and
And
maps relating to MGL mineral exploration activities.
FT provision of background
context
05/02/2025 5 Feb 2025 RE: Presentations
Discussion and FTT response regarding advice on Sustainable Tarras (Community
FTT/JR/Rick
FT related
FT
to the Otago Conservation
Group) request for a talking spot with Otago Conservation Board, regarding
McGovern-
Board from parties with an
Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project.
Wilson/Eleanor
interest in the
Kettink
Santana/Bendigo
mining proposal
10/02/2025 10.2.2025 RE: FYI - Fast Track
Similar email thread as
17.1.2025 RE: Fast Track Application Inquiries - Bendigo-
FTT/JR/Kim Morgan
FT information gathering
FT
Application Inquiries -
Ophir Gold Project – with the addition of FTT advising JR that Kim Morgan is the
Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project
FT Project Lead and JR requesting Kim give him a cal for background context.
and a request for a team
13/02/2025 13 Feb 2025 Bendigo- letter
Original email requesting peer review of response letter and MOC weekly status
JS/JR
MGL mineral exploration
BAU
and status update
report re: MGL application for approval to undertake further mineral exploration
drilling application.
drilling activities within the Bendigo CC
Bendigo CC
13/02/2025 13 Feb 2025 RE: Bendigo-
Peer review/comments on draft response letter re: MGL application for approval
JS/JR/CS
MGL mineral exploration
BAU
draft letter and status update to undertake further mineral exploration drilling activities within the Bendigo CC
drilling application.
Bendigo CC
17/02/2025 17 Feb 2025 FYI - Bendigo -
FYI information email regarding Sustainable Tarras (Community Group)
JR/CS/JS
FT related
FT
Sustainable Tarras
presentation, regarding MGL/Santana proposed gold mining operation, to the
presentation to OCB this
Otago Conservation Board.
week
18/02/2025 18 Feb Letter to Santana re
SSI Region seeking advice from FTT regarding a response letter and MOC weekly
Joanne Liew/ Siobhan
MGL mineral exploration
BAU
further exploratory activities
status report, relating to MGL’s application for approval to undertake further
Quayle/JS
drilling application.
within the 9(2)(b)(ii)
mineral exploration drilling activities within the Bendigo CC
Bendigo CC
Bendigo
Released under the Official Information Act
Conservation Covenant
DATE
DOCUMENT TITLE
DESCRIPTION
Parties
Theme
Comment
18/02/2025 18.2.2025 W: 25-I-0007 -
An FYI to CO District on what the FTT are sending re Santana Minerals’ request to Joanne Liew/CS/JR/JS
FT pre-consultation
FT
Invitation evaluation -
meet with the Minister of Conservation
application
Request - Visit the Bendigo-
Ophir Gold Project with
Santana Minerals Limited -
Central Otago
20/02/2025 20 Feb 2025 Mining at
An FYI email from internal Senior Heritage Advisor to District leadership and
Matt Schmidt/Pene
FT pre-consultation
FT and BAU
Bendigo - being prepared re:
Legal staff re: defending the heritage values of the Bendigo CC in relation to
Williams/CS/JR/JS/Kim
application
defending heritage values in
MGL’s Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project and further discussions.
Morgan
Covenant areas
29/02/2025 29 Feb 2025 RE: DDG Daily
Request for additional information for MOC weekly status report, regarding
Joanne Liew/JS/CS/JR
MGL mineral exploration
BAU
Report - Tuesday 18 February MGL’s application for approval to undertake further mineral exploration drilling
drilling application.
2025 - MOC Status Update:
activities within the Bendigo CC.
Bendigo CC
Proposed Mining Exploration
on Bendigo Station, Central
Otago
04/03/2025 RE: Bendigo Application for
Provision of initial internal ecological technical advice, regarding MGL’s
Richard
MGL mineral exploration
BAU
Exploration
application for approval to undertake further mineral exploration drilling
Ewans/JS/Matt
drilling application.
activities within the Bendigo CC.
Schmidt
Bendigo CC
13/03/2025 13 March 2025 RE: Letter
Response email from MGL re: MGL application for approval to undertake further
JS/JR/CS
MGL mineral exploration
BAU
regarding
R
9(2)(b)(ii) esource
mineral exploration drilling activities within the Bendigo CC.
drilling application.
Drilling Program
Handover meeting request.
Bendigo CC
09/04/2025 9.4.2025 Bendigo Notes
Handover notes on all things related to Bendigo Station:
JS/CS/JR
These notes were in
BAU
Bendigo TR history, Conservation Covenant, surrounding PCL, current
preparation for JS leaving
MGL/Santana applications (CC), doccm (internal document management system)
DOC.
links to previous CC approvals and DOC key contacts relating to Bendigo
16/04/2025 16 April RE: Bendigo-Ophir
Senior Advisor (FTT) request for local DOC contact person and background local
Marie Payne/JS/JR
FT information gathering
FT
Gold Project - DOC contact
context on MGL/Santana mineral exploration activities.
request
17/04/2025 17 April 2025 Bendigo
Request for internal technical advice on MGL’s application for approval to
JS/Matt
MGL mineral exploration
BAU
Exploration Application 2025
undertake further mineral exploration drilling activities within the Bendigo CC.
Schmidt/Richard
drilling application.
Ewans
Bendigo CC
23/04/2025 23 April 2025 RE:
Check-in between CO Operations Manager and SSI Statutory Manager, regarding
CS/JR
MGL mineral exploration
BAU
Conservation Covenant -
receipt of MGL’s application for approval for further mineral exploration drilling
drilling application.
Bendigo Station
9(2)(b)(ii)
within the Bendigo CC.
Bendigo CC
24/04/2025 24 March 2025 RE: Bendigo-
Addition to email thread as
16 April RE: Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project - DOC
JR/ Marie Payne
FT related
FT
Ophir Gold Project - DOC
contact request, with JR requesting access to FT application folder
contact request
30/04/2025 30 April 2025 RE: Review of
Internal heritage technical advice provided to CO OM and SSI Statutory Manger,
Matt Schmidt/CS/JR
MGL mineral exploration
BAU
9(2)(b)(ii)
regarding MGL’s application for approval for further mineral exploration drilling
drilling application.
Heritage Assessment
within the Bendigo CC. Including CO OM response.
Bendigo CC
prepared for Santana Minerals
Ltd 9(2)(b)(ii),
s.9(2)(a)
Released under the Official Information Act
05/05/2025 5.5.2025 RE: Review of
9(2)(b)(ii)
Additional heritage technical advice to email thread
Matt Schmidt/CS/JR
MGL mineral exploration
BAU
Heritage
drilling application.
Assessment prepared for
Bendigo CC
Santana Minerals Ltd
9(2)(b)(ii), s.9(2)(a)
addition
to my review
08/05/2025 8.5.2025 Bendigo context
Providing background context and links to current MGL/Santana application to
JR/PM
Purpose was to bring PM up
BAU
2025 application and Matts
undertake mineral exploration drilling within Bendigo CC, including links to
to speed to pick up interim
review
internal technical advice and previous CC approvals.
District Lead role, due to JS
departure from DOC.
12 May 2025 Bendigo
Provision of internal technical advice regarding MGL’s application for approval to
MGL mineral exploration
BAU
12/05/2025 exploration application -
undertake further mineral exploration drilling activities within the Bendigo CC
JR/PM/Richard Ewans
drilling application.
Richard’s advice
Bendigo CC
Released under the Official Information Act
