Duncan Earthworks owner Michael Duncan said he had led his family’s earthworks and roading business for 14 years, operating in Tarras and Wānaka.
After doing preliminary site upgrades for Santana Minerals, the prospect of the next phase was "exciting", Mr Duncan said.
"This project gives us security and confidence," he said.
"Instead of chasing bits and pieces, we know there is consistent work for the next decade and more."
Working on the Santana project gave him the capacity to employ six or seven more people, potentially more as the gold mine progressed, he said.
"It’s more of everything — more machinery, more fuel, more everything."
The security of work would also help him retain staff.
"[At the moment] you train them up and they go off to the mines in Aussie.
"You can’t blame them."
The Duncan family had been building and working in Central Otago for generations.
Mr Duncan’s father had helped upgrade the Lindis Pass and earlier generations had mined in Cardrona Valley’s Gin and Raspberry claim.
"Our family helped build the region’s backbone through roads and mining in the past, now we’re doing it again, only with bigger machines and smarter technology."
His company employed 15 staff — dump truck and excavator operators, graders, roller drivers and a crushing specialist.
"Every one of them lives here," Mr Duncan said.
"Bendigo-Ophir [a proposed mine site] means continuity — it lets us invest in training and give our crews access to new techniques and machinery that will keep their skills current and in demand."
The ripple effects were enormous.
"When local crews go home at night, they’re spending money in Cromwell, Alexandra and Wānaka. That economic boost stays right here, it keeps small towns vibrant."
Multi-year work gave businesses like his certainty and the confidence to modernise equipment and expand capability.
"This kind of project lets us plan properly, upgrade our fleet and build for the future."
The Bendigo-Ophir project was a "once-in-a-generation" opportunity for local families, Mr Duncan said.
"If the project runs for 15 years, kids in school now could train up and step straight into good, skilled jobs here at home. It gives young people a reason to stay in Central Otago, and that’s huge."
For Mr Duncan, the project represented continuity, community, and confidence.
"It’s a future we can all be proud to build."
Santana Minerals announced in January last year it had discovered the most significant single gold deposit in New Zealand in more than four decades, in its Rise and Shine claim in the Bendigo area.
The company’s latest annual report, released last week, said it was on the verge of lodging its fast-track application.
Chief executive Damian Spring said the latest drilling results in the proposed mining area showed the project was likely to continue for at least 15 years.
The company’s mining plans have also drawn detractors — among them actor and winery owner Sir Sam Neill, who said the proposed gold mine was a "toxic" idea that would "ruin the region".
