Australian mining company Santana is a crucial step closer to opening its controversial proposed gold mine near Cromwell. 

Officials have granted a 30-year mining permit for the Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project. 

It requires the company to return either 10% of profits or 2% of gold sales to the Crown – whichever is higher. 

Chief Executive Damian Spring told Mike Hosking they've now lodged a fast-track application for environmental and developments consents. 

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