We've been getting lots of questions about Santana's toxic tailings dam. For the first time, this video shows you where it will be. https://youtu.be/kPu2hW34DeU The view of the site was taken from high up in the Dunstan Mountains, from the Bendigo Reserve. This is the reality of what Australian mining company Santana Minerals is bringingContinue reading "Video: Santana’s toxic tailings dam – visualisation"

Santana Minerals has been telling media and Australian investors that it has all the land it needs to operate it's huge mine. Not true. There are still two key roads in public ownership. Santana appears to be comfortable misleading investors. Sustainable Tarras has alerted the ODT. [Otago Daily Times, 6 November 2025 - article byContinue reading "Santana appears to be comfortable misleading investors."

[18 October 2025] Just a handful of the artworks remain for sale in an online exhibition featuring nine prominent artists. The exhibition features artworks gifted by nine well-established New Zealand artists to raise funds in opposition to the proposed Bendigo-Ophir gold mine in Central Otago. The artists – all strongly opposed to the open pitContinue reading "“No Go Bendigo” artworks selling fast"

We are delighted to have the support of nine wonderful artists who have gifted artworks to an exhibition to support the mahi Sustainable Tarras does. Under the banner of "No Go Bendigo" (which we think has a great ring to it), they have today launched an online exhibition of their works. 100% of the proceedsContinue reading "Nine prominent artists launch online exhibition in staunch opposition to fast-track mine"

Some Otago residents are asking how they can mobilise against a giant gold mine, poised for the fast-track bill and potentially set to start reshaping their backyard as early as February. Australian company Santana Minerals intended to plumb the hills between Bendigo and Ophir for a $4.4 billion gold deposit, and said it would be filing forContinue reading "[Radio NZ] Otago locals range from curious to staunchly opposed on giant gold mine"

[28 August 2025] Approximately 130 residents packed out the Presbyterian Church in Cromwell on Tuesday night (August 26), to discuss a proposed gold mine in the Dunstan Range that opponents warn could alter the character of the region and cause irreversible environmental damage.  The meeting, organised by Sustainable Tarras in collaboration with Forest & BirdContinue reading "[Central App] Anti-mining meeting draws strong turnout in Cromwell"

[27th August 2025] Concerned locals turned out in force to voice their worries and learn more about the proposed Bendigo gold mine last night. More than 150 attended the meeting at the Presbyterian Church in Cromwell, which was organised by anti-mine campaigners. Read the full article in the ODT here.

Over the last few weeks, a series of public meetings have taken place in Dunedin, Wānaka and Cromwell. They have been very well attended, and we've had great feedback, with people leaving the meetings feeling much better informed (and appropriately concerned) about the issues and risks associated with the mine project. In Dunedin, approximately 75Continue reading "Public meetings in Dunedin, Wānaka, Cromwell show level of concern"

Santana will try and push through their fast tracked gold mine within a matter of weeks. So it's important that as many people as possible are informed, understand some of the horrendous issues, and know what they can do about it. We are holding a further urgent public meeting on 26 August 2025, this timeContinue reading "Urgent public meeting – Cromwell – 26 August 2025"

Today, Rob van der Mark of Sustainable Tarras made a submission to the full council meeting of CODC, to update councillors about the community's significant concerns around the fast-track mine proposal. Here is Rob's submission in full ... My name is Rob van der Mark, I am a winegrower in Bendigo, our vineyard being someContinue reading "Submission to CODC full council meeting about mine concerns"