Chatham Rock Phosphate to focus on Mining Licence

10:38am, 5 Aug 2013 | GENERAL

Media Release

Chatham Rock Phosphate to focus on Mining Licence

5 August 2013 
Chatham Rock Phosphate’s board has resolved to focus on the receipt of its Mining Licence approval before it submits a final Marine Consent application, Managing Director Chris Castle announced today. 
“We believe it is critical we receive the licence before we spend significant more resources – in both time and money - on the Marine Consent process,” he said. 
“Chatham applied for a Mining Licence in September 2012 and was advised in April the application was being treated as a matter of priority. New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals said the information we had provided regarding the mineral resource and its financial and technical capability had not raised any concerns. 
“Following the passing of the Crown Minerals Act NZP&M identified some areas of work it had not completed, including Iwi consultation. It has also asked Chatham for some more technical information. 
“We are working closely with officials to ensure they receive all of the information they need to rapidly progress our application.” 
Mr Castle said the additional time required for the Mining Licence will enable Chatham to further enhance the Marine Consent application. 
“We understand that it is regarded as pretty complete as far as the Environmental Protection Authority is concerned. But we think it can be improved further. In particular we have received some new data from a recent NIWA cruise we have co-funded.. We have also had some sections of our Environmental Impact Assessment peer-reviewed by our overseas experts and they have suggested some improvements. 
“On that basis we are going to push the pause button and wait until we have received the Mining Licence before we submit our final Marine Consent application. 
“At this stage we have no set time line but we envisage receiving the Mining Licence in a matter of weeks and will then proceed to submit our new further improved Marine Consent.”