A meeting later this month is set to decide how much time will be needed for the controversial Santana Minerals Bendigo mine application but the company is sticking to asking for a 30-day timeframe. Panel convener Jane Borthwick, a retired environment court judge, had earlier suggested a timeframe of up to 120 working days. Ms Borthwick has now decided to have a meeting of parties to discuss the timeframe for the proposed application and also what qualities would be needed to sit on the panel hearing the application. It would not allow the panel to request further information or commission a report on matters relevant to the application. In a memorandum to the application filed last month by Santana Minerals’ counsel, the company said it favoured a 30-day timeframe, which was the default timeframe under the Act.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 05, 2026 22:32 UTC