CRP
01/09/2014 14:55
GENERAL
REL: 1455 HRS Chatham Rock Phosphate Limited
GENERAL: CRP: CRP completes filing evidence and answering queries
Media Release
1 September 2014
CRP completes another milestone - filing evidence and answering queries
Chatham Rock Phosphate has achieved another major milestone by completing and
filing evidence from 31 expert witnesses and answers to 62 queries from the
Environmental Protection Authority.
CRP has applied for a marine consent to mine rock phosphate from an area of
the seabed on the Chatham Rise, in the Pacific Ocean 450 km from New Zealand
and 250 km from the Chatham Islands. The area is within New Zealand's
Exclusive Economic Zone.
"It was a massive task and the quality of the work produced continues to
demonstrate to the CRP board and management why this project is important for
New Zealand - both economically and environmentally," managing director Chris
Castle said today.
The EPA's website now contains all of the evidence and answers to queries:
http://www.epa.govt.nz/EEZ/chatham_rock_phosphate/evidence/Pages/Applicants_e
vidence.aspx
http://www.epa.govt.nz/eez/EEZ000006/EEZ000006_Further_information_provided_b
y_CRP
Mr Castle said the quality and comprehensiveness of the evidence and the
answers underscores the board's confidence CRP has built the case to
demonstrate to the decision-making committee this project should be approved.
"With every report and expert, we continue to demonstrate the environmental
impacts are comparatively minor or can be readily managed and the benefits -
both environmental and economic - are significant for New Zealand."
The CRP team is now preparing for the start of hearings on 25 September,
which includes caucusing or discussions between expert witnesses, in the week
starting 15 September, to seek to identify areas of agreement and identify
outstanding areas of contention. CRP is also planning the order of its
witnesses given some are travelling from Europe and the United States, and to
accommodate the timing of hearings in the Chatham Islands in the week
starting 6 October. At this stage CRP anticipates hearings will last around 6
weeks.
Contact Chris Castle on +64 21 55 81 85 or [email protected]
End CA:00254677 For:CRP Type:GENERAL Time:2014-09-01 14:55:55
