Ann: GENERAL: CRP: CRP Marine Consent application submissions...

• Release Date: 14/07/14 08:30
• Summary: GENERAL: CRP: CRP Marine Consent application submissions close
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					CRP
14/07/2014 08:30
GENERAL

REL: 0830 HRS Chatham Rock Phosphate Limited

GENERAL: CRP: CRP Marine Consent application submissions close

Media Release
12 July  2014

CRP Marine Consent application submissions close

Chatham Rock Phosphate Managing Director Chris Castle is delighted at the
quality and number of submissions in support of its Marine Consent
application to the Environmental Protection Authority to extract phosphate
nodules from the seabed on the Chatham Rise at the rate of 30 sq km a year.
While a final analysis of the submissions will not be available until early
next week CRP understands around 240 submissions have been received with a
healthy proportion of these in favour of the application. In contrast, 4,702
submissions were received in respect of the recent Trans-Tasman Resources
application, with 99.5% opposing the proposal.
A preliminary analysis of the Chatham Rock Phosphate submissions reveals many
applications from those with relevant expertise and/or with substantive
arguments in favour of the Chatham Rise proposal.
Further, only a few dozen submitters wish to be heard at the hearing, in
contrast with the 2,175 submitters that wished to be heard at the TTR
hearings.
"This lack of large numbers opposing our project implies a significantly
higher level of community support. An additional benefit is the hearings will
be much less burdened with repetitive, in-expert opinions and can more easily
and effectively proceed with a more informed decision making process.
"We've had a great response from people and organisations who support our
application because they recognise the environmental and economic benefits of
the project. This includes eminent international scientists who have
submitted because they think the merits of this project are so impressive.
Their strong message is the comparatively minor environmental impacts can be
managed and the potential benefits are simply too big to ignore.
"While we have yet to study the submissions in detail, we are disappointed by
some of the inaccurate claims made by some opponents to our application.  We
welcome debate on our proposal but expect it to be based on facts. For
example, some of the claims in the information KASM posted on its website for
people to use for their pro-forma submissions are simply not true and do not
reflect our proposed mining operations."
CRP's Marine Consent application to the EPA, filed in May, is working through
a formal process to deliver a decision in November. The application,
representing four years' work and $27 million in investment, is the second
under the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental
Effects) Act, and will be considered in a full public process by an expert
panel appointed by the EPA.  The Marine Consent is the only major licence CRP
now needs, having gained a mining permit for its phosphate extraction project
in December.

Mr Castle said he remains confident the application will meet the tough
standard demanded by the law, because of CRP's comprehensive science and
consultation-based approach to its proposed mining operations, mitigation and
monitoring.

"We've designed the way we plan to mine and how we monitor and mitigate any
effects by building in the input of the many interested parties with whom we
have consulted, to ensure their concerns are addressed.  Throughout the past
four and half years we've focused on building input from both stakeholders
and scientists to ensure all the bases are covered in terms of environmental
requirements.

"Critical to that has been the high quality science provided by NIWA and
other advisers.  Underscoring those efforts is the huge capability of our
technical partner Boskalis whose resources, expertise and knowledge is simply
unparalleled.

"Their engineers are able to draw on more than 100 years of expertise across
75 countries.  Boskalis is undoubtedly the world leader in sea-based
extraction operations and what has impressed us the most is how with every
project the company undertakes, it devises innovative and environmentally
sustainable methods, while always having safety as the first priority. It is
the way Boskalis does business."

CRP's phosphate resource, located on the seabed of the Chatham Rise, offers
fertiliser security for New Zealand's primary industry, has big export and
import substitution potential, as well as environmental benefits, making it a
project of national significance.

CRP's 400-plus page Environmental Impact Assessment, supplemented by 35
appendices, mostly scientific reports and model is available on the EPA
website, and via a link on rockphosphate.co.nz. Submissions will be posted on
the website next week.

Chris Castle 021 55 81 85 or [email protected]
Please note Chris Castle is travelling over the weekend.
End CA:00252682 For:CRP    Type:GENERAL    Time:2014-07-14 08:30:05