As the Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project fast-track hearings approach the final stages, proponents and opponents will be questioned on a variety of subjects ranging from economics to native lizards. Santana wants to establish, operate and remediate an open pit and underground gold mine on Bendigo and Ardgour Stations, about 20km north of Cromwell. It was one of the first proposed projects lodged under the new fast-track process in October last year. The project has proved controversial with environmental interests, and the panel is close to making a decision. A minute issued last week said the panel still had some questions to ask of the applicants, supporters and opponents. Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project expert panel chairman Matthew Muir, KC, said in his minute they hoped to arrange a series of "conferences" before wrapping up the hearings process by the end of this month. He proposed the subjects include economics, waters, transport and planning, landscapes, heritage and architecture, geotech and ecology.…