Tensions around a fast-tracked gold mine proposal in the hills above Cromwell have escalated this week, with opponents of the project alleging threatening behaviour and multiple groups linked to the debate publicly calling for online conduct to remain civil.

Mine opposition group Sustainable Tarras said some of its members and individuals publicly opposing the mine had been subjected to “serious threats against them and their property”.

“This absolutely crosses the line of what’s acceptable,” the group said in a Facebook post on Thursday.

The group said it had written to Santana Minerals asking it to take action and would also respond directly, “including alerting the police, and publicly identifying anyone who does this”.

Santana Minerals rejected any suggestion it was involved in threatening or abusive behaviour.

In a Facebook post in response, the company said claims it was behind online abuse were “serious, and they are false”.

“We do not control independent forums or what people say online,” the company said.

“We do have zero tolerance for threats. Zero tolerance for intimidation. Anyone crossing that line does not speak for us.”

Santana Minerals declined to provide further comment when contacted.

Administrators of a pro-mining Facebook page that has grown rapidly in recent weeks also issued warnings to members.

In a post by an administrator, the page said: “No threats to anyone please…There’s a time & a place & this isn’t it.”

One of the page founders, Bill Sanders, said content would be removed if it crossed the line.

“What I’m very concerned about is accusations of threats,” he wrote.

“If anything is mentioned on this page that is over the top it will be deleted…We have zero tolerance for bad behaviour.”

Meanwhile, Official Information Act documents released by Land Information New Zealand show an Auckland law firm acting for an unnamed New Zealand buyer has challenged Santana Mineral’s proposed acquisition of farmland at Ardgour Station.

They allege their client was not given first opportunity to purchase the land, as required under rules for the sale of land to overseas buyers.

In correspondence to the Overseas Investment Office, the firm described its client as having “a high degree of interest in purchasing Ardgour Station”, and as “a credible purchaser” with “funds readily available to complete the purchase”.

It said its client first became aware the property was for sale through a Trade Me listing in September 2025, about two months after Santana Minerals announced it had entered into an agreement to purchase the station.

The firm said its client contacted the agent listed on the advertisement seeking further information, but that information was not provided.

The Bendigo-Ophir gold mine application, lodged by Matakanui Gold Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Santana Minerals, is being assessed under the government’s Fast-Track Approvals Act.

Earlier this month, a seven-member expert panel was confirmed to consider the application and a 140-working-day assessment period set, with a final decision due by October 29.

Read more: Santana mine to face 140-day fast-track assessment

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