Share
- Release Date: 02/02/12 11:07
- Summary: GENERAL: CRP: Chatham Rock Phosphate makes EEZ bill submission
- Price Sensitive: No
- Download Document 2.94KB
CRP
02/02/2012 09:07
GENERAL
REL: 0907 HRS Chatham Rock Phosphate Limited
GENERAL: CRP: Chatham Rock Phosphate makes EEZ bill submission
2 February 2012
Chatham Rock Phosphate may be one of first affected by new EEZ legislation
Chatham Rock Phosphate's submission on the new Exclusive Economic Zone Bill
will provide the Local Government and Environment Select Committee with an
early example to consider when evaluating the proposed new legislation.
CRP is a New Zealand owned and operated company established to explore and
extract this country's only significant rock phosphate resource, located on
the seabed in sandy silt 400 metres below the surface and 450 km east of
Christchurch on the Chatham Rise.
"We anticipate our company will be one of the first to operate under the new
legislation as we intend to apply for a mining licence during 2012," managing
director Chris Castle said today.
Mr Castle said the CRP submission is designed to supplement those provided by
a range of interested parties who have commented on technical matters
contained in the Bill.
"We want to give the select Committee an insight into how companies such as
ours will be affected by the legislation and how we are practically planning
to manage our environmental responsibilities."
He said CRP welcomed the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf
(Environmental Effects) Bill because it provides a certain framework for
companies to operate. He also noted the long delay in the grant of a
prospecting licence to CRP related to the difficulty the existing regime
faced in managing environmental issues.
"We are acutely aware of our duty to protect the environment as much as
possible, while developing New Zealand's natural resources. Our business
focus seeks to achieve sustainable development, while continuing to safeguard
the environment."
Mr Castle said CRP aimed to provide the Environmental Protection Agency, the
Ministry for the Environment and New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals with the
opportunity to consider facets of the proposed regime as a "live" case study.
The submission provides an update on the progress made by the company over
the past two years, the environmental, economic and market benefits of the
project and comments briefly on some areas of the Bill of specific interest
to CRP.
Mr Castle said he was pleased the Bill paid heed to the balance between
environmental considerations.
"Even within an environmental context there are offsets such as between the
environmental benefits of our product and any impacts caused by the
extraction of rock nodules.
"Chatham Rock Phosphate can offer benefits that include a reduced carbon
footprint through much lower transport costs, fewer run-off effects on
farmland when using it as a direct-application product and the low cadmium
content of the product."
Chris Castle
Managing Director
Chatham Rock Phosphate Limited
021 55 81 85 or [email protected]
End CA:00219105 For:CRP Type:GENERAL Time:2012-02-02 09:07:20
