Investigation of CRP application for marine consent

Chatham Rock Phosphate Limited

Market announcement

16 February 2016

Ombudsman agrees to investigate EPA handling of Chatham’s application for a marine consent

Chatham Rock Phosphate advised on 3 December 2015 that it intended to oppose an application for summary judgment for costs relating to the marine consent hearing process, made by the Environmental Protection Authority. The EPA is seeking payment of just under $800,000 of invoiced but unpaid costs.

CRP subsequently made a request to the Office of the Ombudsman to conduct a formal investigation into the EPA's charges.

The requested scope of the investigation was first to examine the EPA's costs recovery practices for its marine consent process - including the withholding of information from CRP which was relevant to whether some of the charges were authorised by law.

In January we were asked by the Ombudsman to provide further information and to clarify certain matters.

We are now able to report that we have been advised by the Office of the Ombudsman that they will be conducting an investigation into the matters we have raised. CRP welcomes this investigation.

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