Santana Minerals lodges mining permit for New Zealand project

Santana Minerals has announced the lodgement of its mining permit application for the Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project in New Zealand.

The application, which was submitted to New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals, is a key step in the company's transition from exploration to the mining permit stage.

Santana said the mining permit, under the Crown Minerals Act 1991, is a prerequisite for any mining operation in New Zealand and grants the legal right to extract and process mineral resources.

The company also highlighted the need for resource consents, which are still required for project development.

Santana said it is in the final preparation stage of its submission for resource consents, following an invitation to apply under the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024.

The company expects to secure its resource consents within six months of lodging the submission.