The project, known as Laguna Verde, is located in the country’s north, known for its vast salt flats under which experts say there is enough of the commodity to supply the world for decades.
The department’s most recent deficiency letter includes numerous comments, largely related to parts of the application that were missing or incomplete.
Wright, who joined Eldorado in 1996 and has held several management positions prior to becoming its president and CEO in 1999, will be the company's new chairman.
The project, discovered in 2006, is one of the world’s biggest recent gold findings, with reserves estimated at about 4.8 million ounces of gold and 6.3 million ounces of silver.