Hawkeswood Mining Ltd says the mine could be fully operational by October if it gets the go-ahead soon.
It is seeking consent to establish and operate an alluvial gold mine in a rural resource area near Roxburgh.
In separate reports, released before a two-day hearing in May, Otago Regional Council planner Danielle Ter Huurne and Central Otago District Council planner Olivia Stirling both recommended the mining consent be declined.
Both reports said the company’s application did not properly address the cultural significance of the site and wider area to Kāi Tahu.
At the conclusion of the hearing, held in Millers Flat, commissioners Ros Day-Cleavin, Louise Taylor (chairwoman) and Craig Welsh reserved their decision.
Ms Taylor asked the applicants to provide an updated set of conditions for mine operation.
In new, separate reports released this week, both planners recommended the consent be granted, satisfied any negative effects could be resolved.
In her report, Ms Stirling said there had been "significant improvements" in the information Hawkeswood had provided.
The proposal was now "not inconsistent" with amenity values, tangata whenua cultural values and biodiversity values.
Ms Ter Huurne, in her report, said Hawkeswood had consulted with mana whenua-owned consultancy Aukaha, on behalf of Kā Rūnaka (Otago representatives) through the process.
"[Hawkeswood] has proposed additional mitigation measures to consent conditions to address outstanding concerns and Kā Rūnaka now has a neutral position on the applications.
"It is considered that adverse effects on cultural values can be appropriately managed and mitigated so to be acceptable."
Company director Andrew Hawkeswood told the Otago Daily Times yesterday he was "very, very happy" planners recommended consent be granted.
"We went through the whole application and just tidied everything up — made it more palatable for everybody."
Mr Hawkeswood said the application process had taken "three years and $2million".
"It’s certainly an eye-opener for us ... Mind-blowing the amount of work that’s gone into it."
If commissioners approved the consent, the mine would be fully operational by October this year, he said.
Hawkeswood Ltd is permitted a right of reply, due August 7 — the commissioners have 15 working days from then to release their decision.
