CRP
13/06/2014 08:30
GENERAL
REL: 0830 HRS Chatham Rock Phosphate Limited
GENERAL: CRP: Chatham advises EPA has kicked off marine consent process
Media Release
13 June 2014
Chatham Rock Phosphate advises start of marine consent submission process
Chatham Rock Phosphate Limited (CRP) is pleased to advise the Environmental
Protection Authority (EPA) has now publicly notified CRP's marine consent
application to mine phosphate nodules from the Chatham Rise in New Zealand's
Exclusive Economic Zone.
The public notification in major daily newspapers means the submission period
on CRP's application has now opened and will conclude at 5 pm on 10 July
2014. Following the close of this submission period the EPA will then have 20
working days in which it considers the submissions before issuing a hearing
notice.
The decision making committee to consider CRP's application has also been
confirmed. The EPA Board has appointed a committee of experienced
decision-makers, with collective expertise in ecology, engineering and
tikanga Ma?ori, to decide the application. Chair of the committee is former
career diplomat Neil Walter. The other members are Dr Nicki Crauford (EPA
Board representative), Dr Gregory Ryder, Lennie Johns and David Hill.
EPA Chief Executive Rob Forlong said in a media release the EPA was committed
to carrying out a robust decision-making process. The decision-making
committee would consider all submissions made by the public and people could
choose to speak directly to the panel at public hearings.
"In order to make the best decision, the committee needs to be aware of as
much relevant information as possible. We want to hear how a proposal might
affect existing interests in the area and the environment. We're looking for
information that may affect the outcome of a decision or that would help to
develop conditions that could be imposed if an application was approved."
Mr Forlong said all relevant materials will be provided on the EPA website
and regular updates provided to all parties. Full details about the
application, the decision-making committee and how to make a submission are
available on the EPA website www.epa.govt.nz/eez.
CRP is seeking to mine phosphate nodules from the Chatham Rise (250-450 m
depth) 450 km east of Christchurch. It has a mining permit from New Zealand
Petroleum and Minerals (NZP&M) for an 820 sq km area on the Chatham Rise,
which forms part of the total area (10,192 sq km) for which a marine consent
is being sought from the EPA. The remaining area may be mined in the future
depending on research results and obtaining relevant permits from NZP&M. CRP
is proposing to mine at least 30 sq. km of seabed annually to meet its annual
minimum production target of 1.5 million tonnes of phosphate nodules.
Contact Chris Castle on +64 21 55 81 85 or [email protected] - Please note
Chris is currently in London
End CA:00251527 For:CRP Type:GENERAL Time:2014-06-13 08:30:21
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