A group of residents opposing a proposed gold mine near Cromwell has concerns about “political interference” in the consenting process for the project, calling one of the Government ministers in charge “autocratic” and a “Santana salesperson”. 

Sustainable Tarras spokesperson Rob van der Mark said the group was “highly concerned” by Resources Minister Shane Jones’ celebration of a “golden era” for mining - remarks made just one day after Santana Minerals lodged its 9,400-page fast-track application for its Bendigo–Ophir Gold Project with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). 

“We’re highly concerned about the comments from the minister that border on predetermination,” Rob said.  

“It puts enormous political pressure on the EPA a day after the application was lodged.” 

He said the timing - and the minister’s promise of new fast-track amendments to give ministers greater power to direct the EPA - raised questions about political interference in what should be an independent process. 

“The big picture is starting to overtake the small details,” he said.  

“We’ve been quite polite up to now, but I think it’s time for the gloves to come off and call it what it is…autocratic.” 

The Government, meanwhile, has confirmed it is moving to accelerate the already controversial fast-track regime. 

In a statement released on Monday (November 3) Shane and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop said they were “working on legislative changes to speed up the fast-track process, iron out problematic areas and get projects under way even faster”. 

There has been reported tension between the minister and the EPA over the way the regime is being implemented.  

Shane told the New Zealand Herald the “bureaucratic system is struggling to implement” the government’s pro-growth agenda. 

“I don’t have the power to fire anyone,” he said.  

“I fear that the EPA may very well have people who are better suited to an ideological nunnery, rather than delivering on the government’s manifesto and stated outcome to rapidly grow the economy.” 

In recent days, EPA chief executive Dr Allan Freeth has announced he will step down from the role earlier than the end of his contract. 

According to a legal explainer from Bell Gully, the proposed amendments to the Fast-track Approvals Act are aimed at giving Government ministers more influence over consenting outcomes and speeding up decision-making while limiting aspects of community engagement.

The changes are also expected to let applicants supply extra material after lodgement - a shift aimed at reducing delays but which environmental groups say further weakens public input and transparency. 

Environmental groups and opposition parties have already signalled they believe the changes go too far, warning they could erode oversight and community participation in decisions about large-scale developments. 

Rob said, in response to Shane’s comments in support of the changes, it appeared to him the minister was effectively saying, “I will overrule you guys; I know better”. 

Despite that, he said Sustainable Tarras still had confidence in the integrity of the statutory agencies involved, including Otago Regional Council, Central Otago District Council, Department of Conservation and the EPA itself. 

“The challenge is the political environment and the political interference,” he said. 

In a written statement, Sustainable Tarras said the fast-track law - and the further changes proposed by the Government to it - “seek to further reduce the rights of our most affected locals to have their concerns heard and considered”. 

“To further reduce the time for the panel to evaluate the evidence for this hugely complex and environmentally destructive mine that will leave a toxic legacy in an outstanding natural landscape is simply unreal and smacks of autocratic and destructive lawmaking by our current government,” the statement said. 

The group said locals were worried about the aquifer water they rely on for drinking, increased heavy vehicle traffic, dust, noise, and impacts on tourism businesses that depend on the area’s natural landscape. 

Sustainable Tarras also accused Santana Minerals of overstating the project’s benefits and questioned its track record. 

“We have not seen any data that support their lofty claims [about jobs and royalties],” the group said.  

“We do know the experiences from Macraes, and they are nowhere like what Santana is promising. Macraes is a desecrated place. We don’t want that here.” 

According to estimates from Santana Minerals, the mine will produce up to 120,000 ounces of gold a year over a 14-year life, generating 351 full-time jobs and another 463 indirect roles. 

The company forecasts the project will contribute $5.8B to GDP and $1.8B in government revenue - including $448 million in Crown royalties or approximately $32M a year, 2.5 times the total Crown royalty on minerals received by the Government last year. 

Shane’s comments this week followed confirmation New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals had granted a 30-year mining permit to Matakanui Gold Limited, a subsidiary of Santana Minerals, for the Rise and Shine prospect - part of the Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project. 

He said the coalition government was “committed to using the wealth beneath our feet to create regional opportunities, deliver productive jobs that develop skilled workers, bolster trade and exports, and contribute to the prosperity of our people, now and into the future". 

Under the fast-track process, the EPA has 15 working days to assess whether the Bendigo–Ophir Gold Project application meets statutory requirements before it can be accepted and referred to a decision-making panel. 

Once accepted, details of the proposal will be published on the Government’s fast-track website.

Read more: Minister hails new mining permit as start of ‘golden era’ and Santana lodges fast-track bid for Bendigo gold project