Share
- Release Date: 09/07/13 17:36
- Summary: GENERAL: CRP: Chatham submits NZ's first Marine Consent Application
- Price Sensitive: No
- Download Document 2.86KB
CRP
09/07/2013 15:36
GENERAL
REL: 1536 HRS Chatham Rock Phosphate Limited
GENERAL: CRP: Chatham submits NZ's first Marine Consent Application
9 July 2013
Chatham submits NZ's first Marine Consent
- culminating 3 years work, $20 million investment
Chatham Rock Phosphate today submitted New Zealand's first Marine Consent
application under the new EEZ regime to the Environmental Protection
Authority. It is the culmination of three years work and more than $20
million in investment.
Submitting the application comes in the final week of Chatham's current
capital raising for $4-10 million in its first public investment offering in
New Zealand. Chatham has raised $21.5 million for the project over the past
two years from its existing shareholders and through private placements to
qualified investors.
The EPA, New Zealand's environmental regulator, is expected to decide on
CRP's application after a full public process, in January 2014.
"This application is for a project of national significance offering
fertiliser security for New Zealand's primary industry, significant export
potential and import substitution, as well as environmental benefits,' Chief
Executive Chris Castle said.
"We have done our homework and know this project stacks up technically,
environmentally and financially," Mr Castle said.
"The application has been developed by a team of experts who have delivered
scientific rigour. It has also incorporated input from a wide range of
stakeholders who have challenged our thinking and made valuable contributions
to the completed document."
The Environmental Impact Assessment forming the centrepiece of Chatham's
Marine Consent application will be considered under the new Exclusive
Economic Zone environmental consenting regime, which came into force on 28
June as part of the EEZ and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects)
legislation.
"We believe we have prepared all of the information the EPA needs, under the
terms of the EEZ Act.
"We also feel confident any stakeholders who may have concerns will see the
EIA comprehensively addresses all environmental issues."
The main document runs to more than 330 pages and there are about 30
appendices including a large number of scientific reports and models. The
team has summarised the key findings to assist potential submitters work
through the documentation.
The information in the EIA will be publicly available on the EPA website, and
via a link on rockphosphate.co.nz, once the EPA has accepted the application
as complete. People are then able to consider the documentation and make
submissions and attend public hearings during the next six months.
Chatham expects the first of its required consents - approval of a Mining
Licence under the Crown Minerals Act - within the next several weeks.
Chris Castle - +64 21 55 81 85 or [email protected]
End CA:00238372 For:CRP Type:GENERAL Time:2013-07-09 15:36:13
