A community split in Central Otago as the fast-track panel considers a gold-mine proposal from Australian company, Bendigo-Ophir.
Santana Minerals estimates it could extract $4.4 billion of gold from hills above the Clutha River with open pit and underground mining
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton warns it has considerable environmental risk.
Local mayor Tamah Alley told Andrew Dickens people feel strongly.
She says many are pro-mining and want the jobs and money, but others are vehemently opposed.
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