Santana Minerals (ASX:SMI, NZE:SMI) said infill drilling into the recently added down-plunge extensions at its Bendigo-Ophir gold project's Rise and Shine (RAS) in New Zealand continues to deliver excellent high-grade intercepts, enhancing the longer-term underground mining opportunities for the ore system, according to a Tuesday filing with the Australian and New Zealand bourses.

The recent results were up to 21.1 meters at 5.3 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 435 meters, and 13.5 meters at 8.6 g/t gold from 450 meters.

"Notwithstanding these great results, they relate to areas which will be mined a decade from now. Consequently, we are shifting our focus to understand the ultimate size and longevity for the RAS ore system for the long term. In the short-term, our focus remains firmly on positioning the Project for imminent development and production," said Chief Executive Damian Spring.

The company's Kiwi and Australian shares each fell past 2% in recent Tuesday trade.