Santana Minerals (ASX:SMI, NZE:SMI) welcomed the passing of the fast-track approvals bill through the third and final reading in the New Zealand parliament on Tuesday, according to a Wednesday filing with the Australian bourse.
Once the bill turns to law following Royal Assent, it will accelerate the regulatory approval process for "significant" development projects in New Zealand, including the mining firm's Bendigo-Ophir project, the filing said.
Applications for consent are set to open by Feb. 7, 2025, with Santana expecting to file an application as soon as possible, the filing added.
The company's shares in Australia and New Zealand each gained 1% in recent Wednesday trade.
Price (AUD): $0.46, Change: $+0.01, Percent Change: +1.11%