Fast-track Approvals application accepted by EPA

Santana Minerals Ltd
Level 1, 371 Queen St
Brisbane, QLD 4000
ABN 37 161 946 989
GPO Box 1305
Brisbane, QLD4000

T: +61 7 3221 7501



24 November 2025

Fast-track Approvals application accepted by EPA

Santana Minerals Limited (“Company” or “Santana”) is pleased to advise that the Environmental
Protection Authority (EPA) has formally accepted the Company’s application under the Fast-track
Approvals Act (FTA) for the development of the Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project in Central Otago, New
Zealand.
EPA acceptance confirms that the Company’s submission meets all lodgement requirements under the
FTA, allowing the application to proceed into the assessment phase.
The application will now be considered by the Panel Convener to determine the makeup of an expert
panel. By the time the expert panel is convened, a date must be set down by which the panel must
make a decision, which is expected to take approximately six months.
CEO Damian Spring said the acceptance is a significant step forward for the Project:
“We are very pleased the EPA has accepted our FTA application for processing. This is a major
procedural milestone for the Project and demonstrates the strength of the work completed to date. We
look forward to constructive engagement with the EPA, and other agencies as the assessment
progresses. Meantime, we remain focussed on detailed planning to place orders for long-lead items
and the early works program.”
Subject to a positive outcome from the FTA process, construction of the Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project is
expected to commence in mid-2026.
Santana will continue to update the market as the application advances through each stage of the FTA
process.
This announcement has been authorised for release by the Board.


Enquiries:

Damian Spring
Exec. Director & CEO
dspring@santanaminerals.com
Sam Smith
Exec. Director Corp Affairs & IR
ssmith@santanaminerals.com

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