Environmental group Sustainable Tarras this week claimed Santana had been operating an industrial factory to process drill samples and co-ordinate drilling crews at Bendigo for years.
The Central Otago District Council, which is responsible for land use rules in the area, says it has not approved any activity related to the mining company other than road widening.
A council spokesperson said Santana had applied for consent for proposed mining activity in Thomsons Gorge Rd including a borrow pit, workers’ camp and other buildings, but the application was on hold while more information was sought from Santana.
The council did not respond to a question about whether it knew what was already happening on site or the specific claims of Sustainable Tarras, but said no decisions on any mining-related consents had been made and no works requiring land use consent could proceed until they were.
CODC acting group manager planning and infrastructure Quinton Penniall confirmed the council was aware of Sustainable Tarras’ concerns and said a formal letter had been issued to the landowner and occupier advising that any activities breaching the provisions of the current district plan must either cease or be legalised through the resource consent process by August 1.
Santana Mineral chief executive Damian Spring said the company was committed to resolving any concerns and to ensuring a long-term, compliant solution was in place.
It also planned to move the current exploration base from Bendigo Loop to Ardgour Station, which the company has bought, subject to Overseas Investment Office approval.
It submitted the early works resource consent application for new buildings and facilities to the council on May 16 and provided further information on its application for the Thomsons Gorge Rd activities, including a borrow pit on Wednesday, he said.
Mr Penniall said Santana’s planner had advised the application did not need to be notified publicly, but the decision was the council’s.
He confirmed the only work approved by the council to date related to road safety improvements on a 4km section of Thomsons Gorge Rd.
That included localised widening, construction of protective berms, additional widening on drop-off curves, improved signage and drainage upgrades.
No property access would be affected by the work.
The temporary closure of that section of road had been publicly advertised from last month, he said.
