Hundreds of submissions have been lodged for the new Hawkeswood Resources mining application at Millers Flat.

Alexandra-based owner Simon Johnstone said he was overwhelmed at the amount of support from not just the local Central Otago community, but also those who supply services to their gold mining operations.

“The local community is right behind it. I didn’t realise how far reaching this gold mining proposal will be. We’ve actually had submissions from all over Otago and Southland."

The company had been involved in gold mining at Olrig Station and has now applied for a 10-year resource consent using a gold dredge on the banks of the Clutha River - 1km from the Millers Flat township.

A total of 470 submissions were received for the 10-year mining application, which he said was expected to create around 30 jobs and help revive the Teviot community.

Five submissions were opposed to the proposal, including several landowners and iwi, whom Simon said he was currently in discussions with.

A separate water and discharge consent was also needed through the Otago Regional Council, and independent commissioners would be appointed for a hearing shortly.

Hawkeswood has also obtained a Crown Minerals mining permit that was valid until April 2033, and is aiming for a six-day operation.

It is expected to move 12 million cubic metres of earthworks on the 68ha site in four stages, and talks have already been had with the Clutha Gold Charitable Trust on diverting the track.

The new Government is progressing changes to resource management laws as part of its 100 Day Action Plan, and a new fast-track consenting process will be released this week.

Simon said he was excited to see what this meant for his proposal - Santana Minerals' new ‘Rise and Shine’ gold mining proposal at Bendigo was expected to be on the list of projects being fast tracked.