Santana Minerals (NZE:SMI, ASX:SMI) said the fast-track approvals process for its Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project has reached a key milestone, with a formal decision now expected by Oct. 29, according to a Thursday filing with the Australian and New Zealand bourses.
The panel convener confirmed on Wednesday the expert panel's composition and established a 140-working-day statutory timeframe for the project's assessment, per the filing.
The convener appointed a seven-member expert panel with expertise in economic, environmental, and extractive industry matters to ensure a thorough, transparent, and timely assessment within the statutory timeframe, the filing added.
The company's Kiwi shares rose around 3% in recent Thursday trade.