KEY POINTS
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Rua Gold has submitted a fast-track approval application for its Auld Creek project in New Zealand.
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The proposed eight-year underground mine could employ more than 200 people.
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Rua targets key permits by mid-2027, subject to regulatory approval.
Rua Gold has submitted a substantive application under New Zealand’s Fast-track Approvals Act for its proposed Auld Creek underground gold and antimony project in the Reefton Goldfield on the South Island.
The application marks a major step in the Canadian-listed company’s transition from mineral exploration to mine development. It seeks the regulatory approvals required to construct and operate the proposed mine, together with its supporting infrastructure.
Announced on November 6, 2026, the submission follows the New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority’s acceptance of the project’s earlier referral application into the fast-track approval process.
Rua Gold said the latest application brings together environmental, technical, social and economic assessments prepared by the company and independent advisers.
Application Covers Environmental and Social Impact
The application includes assessments of the project’s potential effects on water quality, ecology, landscape, air quality, traffic, geochemistry and erosion.
It also addresses sediment control, mine closure, and the proposed operation’s social and economic implications.
Rua said the preparation process involved engagement with Ngāti Waewae, local communities, councils, regulators and other stakeholders.
The company intends to maintain these discussions as regulators assess the application and the project’s design continues to develop.
Rua Vice-President Simon Delander said the submission brought together extensive environmental, social and technical work undertaken by the company and its advisers.
He added that the company’s immediate priority was to support the assessment process and respond to any requests for additional information.
Delander also acknowledged the contributions of Ngāti Waewae and communities across Reefton and the wider West Coast region.
Project Could Create More Than 200 Jobs
Rua Chief Executive Officer Robert Eckford described the application as an important step towards restoring gold and antimony production in the Reefton area.
He said Auld Creek could support a wider mining operation in the Reefton Goldfield, create skilled employment and provide business opportunities for local companies.
The proposed underground operation is expected to have an initial mine life of eight years and employ more than 200 people.
Rua estimates that the project could contribute approximately NZ$240 million to the regional economy.
The company also expects the project to contribute to efforts to address the global antimony supply deficit. Antimony is used in several industrial applications, including flame-retardant materials and certain battery technologies.
Regulatory Assessment to Determine Next Steps
Under New Zealand’s Fast-track Approvals Act 2024, eligible projects can seek several regulatory approvals through a coordinated process.
Rua’s application will first undergo statutory reviews to determine whether it meets the requirements for completeness and falls within the scope of the fast-track process.
If it passes these checks, an independent expert panel will be established to conduct a full assessment and determine whether the required approvals should be granted and under what conditions.
The company is targeting the receipt of key project approvals by mid-2027. However, it cautioned that the timetable depends on the regulatory review, requests for further information, possible suspensions and any appeals.
Rua stressed that submitting the application does not mean the project has been approved.
Feasibility Study Progresses Alongside Permitting
Alongside the regulatory process, Rua is advancing a prefeasibility study (PFS) to assess the proposed mining and processing methods, as well as the project’s financial and economic prospects.
The study is targeted for completion in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The company said a final decision to develop Auld Creek would depend on the outcome of technical and economic studies, the receipt of necessary permits, the availability of financing and a final investment decision.
Rua is therefore pursuing its technical studies and permitting activities simultaneously as it works towards its mid-2027 approval target.
