Kia ora,

Thank you for your email, we acknowledge receipt of your official
information request received on 21 July for;

* Any/all correspondence ORC has had with Santana Minerals / Matakanui
Gold about the Bendigo Ophir Mine development, including, but not
limited to, emails, meeting minutes and papers, phone conversations,
presentations, reports etc from June 27 2025 until present day.
* Any/all emails / papers / reports / meeting minutes etc describing
preparations ORC has made relating to the Bendigo Ophir mine from June
27 2025 until present day.

We will endeavour to respond to your request as soon as possible and in
any event no later than 18 August 2025, being 20 working days after the
day your request was received. If we are unable to respond to your request
by then, we will notify you of an extension of that timeframe. 

If you have any queries, please contact us by return email. If any
additional factors come to light which are relevant to your request,
please contact us so that these can be taken into account. 

Nga mihi

Naomi

Legal

[1][IMG] [email address]

[2][IMG][3][IMG][4][IMG]

Important notice

This email contains information which is confidential and may be subject
to legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not
peruse, use, disseminate, distribute or copy this email or attachments. If
you have received this in error, please notify us immediately by return
email or telephone (03 474-0827) and delete this email. The Otago Regional
Council accepts no responsibility for changes made to this email or to any
attachments following the original transmission from its offices. Thank
you.

References

Visible links
1. https://www.orc.govt.nz/
2. https://www.facebook.com/OtagoRegionalCo...
3. https://www.linkedin.com/authwall?trk=bf...
4. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC77y56i...

Kia ora Suze,

We refer to your official information request received by us 21 July 2025
for the following information:

·Any/all correspondence ORC has had with Santana Minerals / Matakanui Gold
about the Bendigo Ophir Mine development, including, but not

·limited to, emails, meeting minutes and papers, phone conversations,
presentations, reports etc from June 27 2025 until present day.

·Any/all emails / papers / reports / meeting minutes etc describing
preparations ORC has made relating to the Bendigo Ophir mine from June 27
2025 until present day.

We are required under the Local Government Official Information and
Meetings Act 1987 to advise you of our decision on your request no later
than 20 working days after the day we received your request.

Unfortunately, it will not be possible to meet that time limit, and we are
therefore writing to notify you of an extension of the time to make our
decision, to 01 September 2025.

This extension is necessary because consultations internally and with
relevant third parties necessary to make a decision on your request are
such that a proper response cannot reasonably be made within the original
time limit. You will receive our response on or before 01 September 2025.

If you wish to discuss this with us, please contact us by return email.

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of
this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
[1]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.

Kā mihi,

Finn

Legal

[2][IMG] [email address]

[3][IMG][4][IMG][5][IMG]

Important notice

This email contains information which is confidential and may be subject
to legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not
peruse, use, disseminate, distribute or copy this email or attachments. If
you have received this in error, please notify us immediately by return
email or telephone (03 474-0827) and delete this email. The Otago Regional
Council accepts no responsibility for changes made to this email or to any
attachments following the original transmission from its offices. Thank
you.

References

Visible links
1. http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/
2. https://www.orc.govt.nz/
3. https://www.facebook.com/OtagoRegionalCo...
4. https://www.linkedin.com/authwall?trk=bf...
5. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC77y56i...

Kia ora Suze,

Your sixth official information request relating to the Bendigo-Ophir Gold
Project, received by us 21 July 2025, has been granted. You requested:

-Any/all correspondence ORC has had with Santana Minerals / Matakanui Gold
about the Bendigo-Ophir Mine development, including, but not limited to,
emails, meeting minutes and papers, phone conversations, presentations,
reports etc from June 27, 2025, until present day.

-Any/all emails / papers / reports / meeting minutes etc describing
preparations ORC has made relating to the Bendigo Ophir mine from June 27,
2025, until present day.

The information you have requested is attached. Information has been
withheld in accordance with the following sections of the Local Government
Official Information and Meetings Act 1987:

* 7(2)(a) – to protect the privacy of natural persons
* 7(2)(b)(ii) – to protect information where the release of that
information would be likely unreasonably to prejudice the commercial
position of the person who supplied or is the subject of the
information
* 7(2)(f)(i)– to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs
through the free and frank expression of opinions by or between or to
members or officers or employees of any local authority in the course
of their duty

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of
this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
[1]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.

If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to contact
us by return email.

Kā mihi,

Finn

Legal

[2][IMG] [email address]

[3][IMG][4][IMG][5][IMG]

Important notice

This email contains information which is confidential and may be subject
to legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not
peruse, use, disseminate, distribute or copy this email or attachments. If
you have received this in error, please notify us immediately by return
email or telephone (03 474-0827) and delete this email. The Otago Regional
Council accepts no responsibility for changes made to this email or to any
attachments following the original transmission from its offices. Thank
you.

References

Visible links
1. http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/
2. https://www.orc.govt.nz/
3. https://www.facebook.com/OtagoRegionalCo...
4. https://www.linkedin.com/authwall?trk=bf...
5. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC77y56i...

Kia ora Suze,

Thank you for your time on the phone this morning. We acknowledge receipt
of your official information request received by us 29 August 2025 for the
following information:

 1. Copies of the technical reports referred to in the correspondence
under SR.3695, which were not supplied as part of the response
 2. An explanation of the decision-making process which led to ORC’s s30
assessment being withheld as a free and frank opinion under
s7(2)(f)(i) LGOIMA
 3. An explanation as to why the image on page 64 of the response is cut
off, and a copy of the full image

We will endeavour to respond to your request as soon as possible and in
any event no later than 26 September 2025, being 20 working days after the
day your request was received. If we are unable to respond to your request
by then, we will notify you of an extension of that timeframe.

If you have any queries, please contact us by return email. If any
additional factors come to light which are relevant to your request,
please contact us so that these can be taken into account.

Kā mihi,

Finn

Legal

[1][IMG] [email address]

[2][IMG][3][IMG][4][IMG]

Important notice

This email contains information which is confidential and may be subject
to legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not
peruse, use, disseminate, distribute or copy this email or attachments. If
you have received this in error, please notify us immediately by return
email or telephone (03 474-0827) and delete this email. The Otago Regional
Council accepts no responsibility for changes made to this email or to any
attachments following the original transmission from its offices. Thank
you.

References

Visible links
1. https://www.orc.govt.nz/
2. https://www.facebook.com/OtagoRegionalCo...
3. https://www.linkedin.com/authwall?trk=bf...
4. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC77y56i...

Kia ora Suze, 

 

We refer to your official information request received by us 29 August
2025 for the following information:

 1. Copies of the technical reports referred to in the correspondence
under SR.3695, which were not supplied as part of the response
 2. An explanation of the decision-making process which led to ORC’s s30
assessment being withheld as a free and frank opinion under
s7(2)(f)(i) LGOIMA
 3. An explanation as to why the image on page 64 of the response is cut
off, and a copy of the full image

 

Your original request needs to be clarified or amended to enable us to
respond. You requested “copies of the technical reports referred to in the
correspondence under SR.3695, which were not supplied as part of the
response”. We want to ensure that we are providing the requested
information, and not missing anything that you believe is in scope of your
request. Accordingly, we ask that you provide us a list of requested
reports that were referred to in the correspondence, to enable us to
respond to your request.

 

Please provide this information to us as soon as possible.  

 

Any clarification or amendment of a request is considered to be a new
request for the purpose of calculating the maximum statutory timeframe for
response—see section 13(7) of the Local Government Official Information
and Meetings Act. 

 

We will continue to respond to points 2 and 3 of your request above but
will await your clarification on point 1 before compiling and reviewing
the technical reports.  

  

Kā mihi, 

Finn

Legal

[1][IMG] [email address]

[2][IMG][3][IMG][4][IMG]

Important notice

This email contains information which is confidential and may be subject
to legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not
peruse, use, disseminate, distribute or copy this email or attachments. If
you have received this in error, please notify us immediately by return
email or telephone (03 474-0827) and delete this email. The Otago Regional
Council accepts no responsibility for changes made to this email or to any
attachments following the original transmission from its offices. Thank
you.

References

Visible links
1. https://www.orc.govt.nz/
2. https://www.facebook.com/OtagoRegionalCo...
3. https://www.linkedin.com/authwall?trk=bf...
4. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC77y56i...

Kia ora Suze,

Thank you for your email received by us 10 September, clarifying which
reports have been requested under this information request.

We will compile and provide those reports, as well as an explanation of
the redaction of the free and frank opinion, and a copy of the full image
that is shown split on page 64 of the response to SR.3695 (BOGP no 6).

Note that as you have clarified your request, the due date of this request
has been extended to 07 October. We will endeavour to provide a response
to you before this date.

If you have any further questions or concerns about this information
request, please contact us by return email.

Kā mihi,

Finn

Legal

[1][IMG] [email address]

[2][IMG][3][IMG][4][IMG]

Important notice

This email contains information which is confidential and may be subject
to legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not
peruse, use, disseminate, distribute or copy this email or attachments. If
you have received this in error, please notify us immediately by return
email or telephone (03 474-0827) and delete this email. The Otago Regional
Council accepts no responsibility for changes made to this email or to any
attachments following the original transmission from its offices. Thank
you.

References

Visible links
1. https://www.orc.govt.nz/
2. https://www.facebook.com/OtagoRegionalCo...
3. https://www.linkedin.com/authwall?trk=bf...
4. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC77y56i...

Kia ora Suze,

Your official information request received by us 10 September 2025 for
queries raised in response to our release to your sixth BOGP request
(SR.3695) has been granted. You requested:

 1. Copies of any documents referred to in the release which were not
supplied
 2. An explanation of Council’s decision-making process which led to the
email from Council staff dated 11 July 2025 being withheld as a free
and frank opinion in accordance with section 7(2)(f)(i) LGOIMA
 3. A copy of the image and associated email thread on page 64 of the
original release, which had been cut in half

The information you have requested is below and attached.

 1. In your email received by us 10 September 2025, you requested copies
of:

* Aquatic Assessments of Effects
* Ecology Report
* 23 reports listed in the June 17 email from Michael Greer to Martina
Courtier

These reports fall into 3 categories – reports attached as part of our
release to this official information request, reports already released,
and reports not held by Council.

Reports attached to this email

These reports should have been released as part of our release to your
sixth official information request. We acknowledge this was an oversight.

* EGL - Rise and Shine Pit - Creek Diversion Technical Report
* Surface_Water_Effects_Rpt-Z24002BOG-2 (FINAL)

Reports already released

These reports were referred to in our release to your sixth official
information request, and have been released as part of our release to your
seventh official information request (SR.5251). They are in the short-term
large file sharing folder shared with you under that official information
request.

* BOGM Aquatic Assessment of Effects
* Shepherds Creek Silt Pond Technical Report
* Erosion and Sediment Control Management Plan
* Silt Ponds and Water Storage Management Plan
* WQ Compliance Limits Report
* Aquatic Ecology Assessment – The same report as BOGM Aquatic
Assessment of Effects

Reports not held by Council

At present, Council does not have a copy of these reports. The reports are
either listed as incomplete on the document register provided to Council
by Matakanui Gold Limited, or have otherwise not been shared.

* ELF Geochem Report – derives water quality for the ELF and TSF
* Gold Sim Water Balance Load Model
* J-NZ0464-002-R-RevA-BOGP Water Management-Treatment
* Pit Model Report – derives water quality for the WBLM
* J-NZ0233-006-R-Rev 1-Bendigo Baseline Water Report
* Net Percolation Assessment
* BOGP Source Term Report
* Water Management Plan
* Recreation Assessment May 2024
* Matakanui Mine Rehab overview and ecological values post-rehab
* Draft Fast-Track AEE Table of Contents
* Project Description – Tech Assessments
* Project Description – AEE
* Fast Track Application and AEE Draft
* Post closure water treatment (based on water quality models)  

 1. The email from Council staff dated 11 July 2025 contains the following
factors which gave weight to withholding in accordance with
s7(2)(f)(i) LGOIMA:

* Contains preliminary, evaluative commentary on a complex s30
assessment.
* Expresses uncertainty outlines internal reasoning, and
requests further information to complete the assessment.
* Is part of an ongoing internal decision-making process.

For specific examples:

* Opening paragraph indicates the email is part of a deliberative
process, not a final decision. Expresses internal uncertainty and
confirms it is not a definitive response;
* Paragraph 2, hypothetical reasoning regarding catchments;
* Paragraph 3, Ground water v surface water commentary - uses the
language “suggests” and asks for confirmation
* Paragraph 4, again evaluative commentary, not final conclusions,
* Paragraph 5, asks for confirmation- indicating the email is part of an
information-gathering and assessment process.
* Summary of information required- internal assessment, not a public
facing checklist.

The Ombudsman’s guidance on free and frank opinions (s7(2)(f)(i)) is:

The provision applies to opinions expressed by, between, or to members,
officers, or employees of a local authority in the course of their duty.
It does not extend to opinions expressed by external parties, such as
applicants, consultants, or members of the public.

However, communications from Council staff to external parties may still
be protected if they contain free and frank expressions of opinion made in
the course of their official duties, and if disclosure would inhibit
similar future communications that are necessary for the effective conduct
of public affairs.

The email contains:

* Internal reasoning and evaluative commentary from ORC staff;
* Preliminary views on the s30 assessment; and
* Requests for clarification that reflect ORC’s internal decision-making
process.

These expressions are made in the course of Council staff’s official
duties, and their release could reasonably be expected to inhibit future
candour in similar communications — especially in complex, high-stakes
regulatory contexts like mining and water allocation.

Based on the above reasoning, Council determined that the content of the
email dated 11 July 2025 should be withheld on the grounds of it being a
free and frank opinion (s7(2)(f)(i)) and that the public interest in
disclosure did not outweigh the good reason to withhold.

3.A copy of the image and associated email thread is attached as a
document titled “SR.5515 – Point 3 Correspondence”.

Information has been withheld in order to protect the privacy of natural
persons in accordance with section 7(2)(a) of the Local Government
Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of
this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.

If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to contact
us by return email.

Kā mihi,

Finn

Legal

[1][IMG] [email address]

[2][IMG][3][IMG][4][IMG]

Important notice

This email contains information which is confidential and may be subject
to legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not
peruse, use, disseminate, distribute or copy this email or attachments. If
you have received this in error, please notify us immediately by return
email or telephone (03 474-0827) and delete this email. The Otago Regional
Council accepts no responsibility for changes made to this email or to any
attachments following the original transmission from its offices. Thank
you.

References

Visible links
1. https://www.orc.govt.nz/
2. https://www.facebook.com/OtagoRegionalCo...
3. https://www.linkedin.com/authwall?trk=bf...
4. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC77y56i...