Chatham Rock Phosphate marine consent decision due by 30 Jan

Media Release

12 December 2014

Chatham Rock Phosphate marine consent decision due by 30 January

A decision on Chatham Rock Phosphate’s marine consent application is expected to be announced on or before 30 January 2015.

The Decision-making Committee hearing CRP’s application today officially closed the hearing.

Once closed the DMC has 20 working days to consider its decision which would mean the decision would be given on or before 30 January. When adjourned the DMC said a decision would be released as soon as practicable after it has been made.

The DMC adjourned the hearing on the application by CRP for a marine consent on 19 November to consider whether it had sufficient information to formally close the hearing. In the intervening time it has concluded that it does not need any further input from the parties hence the decision to close the hearing today.

“We are delighted we have some certainty regarding the time frames,” managing director Chris Castle said. “This has been a long, complex and costly process. We feel confident we have presented a compelling case for consent. We have done the science and engineering work to show we can carefully manage the environmental impacts.

“I know the industry, both here and internationally, and representatives of the wider economy are watching this application with interest as it is the first of its kind in the world.”

The 26 days of hearings were held in Wellington, Hamilton and Chatham over a seven week period from September to November. CRP submitted its application in May following four years of research and preparation.

CRP received its mining permit from New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals in December last year. The permit grant is conditional on a marine consent under the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf legislation.

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