'This must be stopped': Sam Neill criticises gold mine proposal again

Central Otago-based actor Sam Neill has criticised plans for a gold mine in the Bendigo Hills for a second time saying it "must be stopped".

On Monday Santana Minerals’ Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project was accepted for referral through the Fast Track process.

If successful, Santana Minerals would dig in the Bendigo hills on Thompson Gorge Rd east of Queenstown. Four open pits are proposed, the largest 1km wide and 200m deep.

Internationally-acclaimed actor Neill previously labelled the proposal “unbelievable” and “toxic”.

Today he reiterated his negative view of the proposed mine through a statement on his Instagram account to his more than 838,000 followers.

"On Monday, the toxic Santana mine became a fast track project. The details are horrific and the impacts will be everlasting. It opens the floodgates for many more devastating mines," his statement said.

"Central Otago’s outstanding landscapes, pristine environment and reputation will be destroyed. This must be stopped."

In commentary alongside the post, Neill said the mining activity would release elements into the environment such as arsenic and lead and the proposal is to consume up to 9.5 million litres of water per day for the plant.

He also said millions of litres of diesel would be used each year to fuel machinery.

"The initial proposal is that the mine will operate around the clock for 14 years , although many mines in New Zealand and elsewhere keep prospecting and seeking further extensions . Santana has signalled its intention to the industry to keep prospecting to expand 'opportunities'."

Following this week's referral through the fast-track process, Santana Minerals chief executive Damian Spring said, going well, construction could begin in mid-2026.

“We’ve taken a careful, thorough approach, and we’re proud to see the application progressing smoothly. It reflects the effort and diligence behind every part of this project,” he said in a statement on Facebook.

According to application documents, the gold at the site is the largest new gold discovery in New Zealand in more than four decades and is estimated to consist of 2.3 million ounces of gold. The extraction of 1.25 million ounces of gold is proposed to take place over a 14 year mine life.

The application documents predict the project would generate a cumulative total of approximately $5.8 billion of GDP over the mine's life equating to an average of $360 million of GDP per year between 2025 and 2036. It says the project would also provide 351 jobs per year as well as indirect jobs.

Advocacy group Sustainable Tarras opposes the mine and chair Suze Keith said ongoing, vocal and strong opposition from a high profile New Zealander like Neill had been powerful.

“Sam is hugely respected locally, nationally and internationally, and to have him speak up about the likely devastating impacts of this controversial fast track mine proposal is much appreciated. Although his family has been in Otago for 160 years, people with the mana and celebrity status akin to Sam are often cautious about speaking up. It shows how passionately he feels about this, and reflects how repugnant the project is to those of us who live in Central Otago.”

Keith said that awareness of the proposed mine was rising.

“As people find out more about what Santana is planning in the area, they are genuinely shocked.”

“We’re going to need all the help we can get - this continues to be David versus Goliath,” she said, “and we are not giving up.”