Santana finalises council access deal for Bendigo-Ophir gold project
ASX-listed developer Santana has concluded its long-running land access arrangements under the Crown Minerals Act with the Central Otago District Council (CODC), securing access over council roading assets necessary to enable the Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project to proceed, subject to receipt of Fast-track Approvals Act consent.
The agreement delivers multigenerational benefits to the Central Otago District, with the company committing to an indexed payment of N$1.25-million a year to CODC to fund infrastructure, environmental and community benefits packages as it sees fit, six months after the star of commercial gold production, and transparently disclosed in Council’s yearly accounts.
Any future road stopping as defined under the Public Works Act, will be subject to the full legislative process to be undertaken by the council, and will also include the provision of an alternate route as applied for in the company’s FTA application.
CEO Damian Spring described the agreement as a "material milestone" for the Bendigo-Ophir project. "It reflects a pragmatic, outcome with CODC that provides certainty around access, delivers a clear and transparent community benefit framework, and allows the project to progress in an orderly manner, subject to fast-track approvals consent.
"Importantly, it reinforces that well-designed projects can align regional infrastructure, community outcomes and long-term economic value, with sustainable environmental stewardship, as demonstrated in our Fast-track application.”
