Ann: GENERAL: CRP: Chatham reduces marine area and updates consent process

• Release Date: 05/08/14 08:30
• Summary: GENERAL: CRP: Chatham reduces marine area and updates consent process
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					CRP
05/08/2014 08:30
GENERAL

REL: 0830 HRS Chatham Rock Phosphate Limited

GENERAL: CRP: Chatham reduces marine area and updates consent process

Media Release
Reduction in Marine Application Area and Update on Marine Consent Process

5 August 2014
Chatham Rock Phopshate (CRP or the Company) announces that it has advised the
Environmental Protection Authority that it will remove the eastern end of
application area covered by prospecting permit 55967, comprising 4,985 km2
and representing about half the total, so the area for which marine consent
is being applied now totals 5,207 km2.
"Reducing the size of the Company's application area will have no impact on
CRP's mining plans for the first 15 years, which is covered by its approved
mining permit and is subject only to a marine consent," Managing Director
Chris Castle said.
"It just removes areas covered by a prospecting permit application. However,
it will simplify questions from the EPA and submitters because it means no
seabed mining is being proposed by CRP on this part of the Chatham Rise.  The
Company will only consider mining in that area once more assessment has been
carried out."
CRP is currently finalising its responses to the requests by the decision
making committee (DMC) for further information.  These requests, dated 9
June, 17 and 25 July and which are a normal part of the process, are wide
ranging and some have required CRP to commission new research and reports. In
order to incorporate this new information as well as the impact of the
reduction in application area, CRP has been granted an extension to the
timetable for its responses to the EPA, which were due to be submitted this
week, and now has until 25 August to submit its evidence.
The scope of the questions includes more detail on the benefits of the
project to New Zealand and the Chatham Islands, commercial viability, effects
on commercial fishing, migrating eels, benthic fauna, fish spawning, sediment
chemistry and trophic modelling, toxicity thresholds, trace elements,
habitats and seabirds, noise, ocean currents and phosphate prices.
CRP says the changes will not impact on the expected end date of the
decision-making timeframe or its proposed mining plan.
"We do not believe the additional time involved in preparing responses and
evidence will impact on the decision-making timeframes. Our advice is that a
decision on the application is still manageable by the end of November."
Mr Castle said the CRP team is focused on providing accurate and considered
information in response to the requests from the decision-making committee
(DMC).
"We think taking the extra time now is really positive because it helps
clarify questions at an earlier stage and will enable more efficient use of
time later in the process. A stitch in time saves nine, as they say."
"CRP wants to ensure the final package available to the DMC and submitters
contains the most up-to-date information before the process advances.  We
also want to make sure everyone understands the scope of the application area
so this can be addressed in evidence and answers to the information requests.

"We think this approach will benefit all parties.  It's consistent with the
interests of the community in being able to achieve an adequate assessment of
potential effects of CRP's proposal.
"Also importantly we think the additional time invested now in providing more
detailed information and greater clarity about the application area will
ultimately allow both the pre-hearing preparation process and the hearing
itself to be conducted as efficiently as possible.
"In that respect, we expect the additional time taken now will require
reduced hearing time, particularly as only 75 of those who made submissions
wish to be heard, compared with 2,175 in respect of Trans Tasman Resources."

CRP has also asked for the time extension will also apply to the EPA's staff
report, which the DMC is currently considering.
"We think the EPA's report will offer greater assistance to the DMC once it
takes into account the responses provided to the requests for further
information."

Please note Chris Castle is currently in London.  For further information
contact him on email [email protected] or mobile +64 21 558 185
End CA:00253466 For:CRP    Type:GENERAL    Time:2014-08-05 08:30:05