There's high hopes from Santana Minerals following the revelation of unearthed gold in Central Otago.

The company's discovery on the privately owned Bendigo Station land has been dubbed one of New Zealand's most significant in 40 years - with a $4.4 billion dollar lifetime export value.

Santana Minerals Chief Executive Damian Spring is hopeful an investment decision will be made by the new year.

"We're on track to submit our application under the RMA by the end of this year, the Fast-Track Approvals Bill would have passed by then - and it suits what we're aiming to do."

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