Gold fever is in the air with another mining consent proposed for the Clutha River/Mata-au near Millers Flat.

Hawkeswood Mining has applied to the Central Otago District Council for a 10-year land use consent just 1km from the township on farmland, which expects to create 20 jobs.

A separate water and discharge consent would also need to be applied for through the Otago Regional Council.

Almost a month ago, Cold Gold Clutha Ltd was declined its application to dredge an area of the river south of Luggate, but its consent for the lower part of the river near Tuapeka Mouth was still in place.

About 120m north in the hills of Bendigo, Santana Minerals has confirmed it might have hit the jackpot with its exploratory drilling showing the biggest gold discovery in 40 years - worth billions of dollars.

Meanwhile, Hawkeswood Mining has been using its minerals exploration permit to start looking for gold in Millers Flat, without the necessary consents to do so, a report from council said.

An abatement notice was issued and the work stopped, after complaints to the council from members of the community.

Hawkeswood also has obtained a Crown Minerals mining permit that was valid until April 2033, and is aiming for a six-day operation - its application stipulating that it would be either land based, or a floating dredge in the river.

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

Millers Flat has been the site of gold dredging activity on many occasions, dating right back to the 1900s.

Part of the existing site is a former gravel pit owned by the council, which was closed off to the public in 2023.

Independent commissioners will hear Hawkeswood’s consent applications in a joint hearing with the Otago Regional Council, and submissions close on February 19.