27 September 2017
Chatham Rock Phosphate occupies centre stage at UMC conference
Chatham Rock Phosphate (NZ: CRP, TSX.V: NZP) ("CRP" or "the Company") this
week delivered two keynote addresses at the Underwater Mining Conference
hosted by the International Marine Minerals Society, this year held in
Berlin.
Chatham CEO Chris Castle updated the scientists, marine miners, sector
investors and other industry players attending the conference from 25
countries on the company''s present status and forward plans.
His address, the central theme of this being that Chatham remains on track to
re-submit a marine consent application, was warmly received. The project is
very much on the world stage and it''s clear that the New Zealand
Environmental Protection Authority''s recent decision to grant a Marine
Consent (Exclusive Economic Zone environmental permit) to Trans Tasman
Resources has been widely observed internationally and represents a major
milestone for the marine mining industry. It has also helped reinstate New
Zealand as a credible location for investment in resource projects.
His address was followed by a well-received presentation from Renee Grogan,
Chatham''s recently appointed project manager and leader of its proposed
marine consent reapplication. Renee is also a director of the World Oceans
Council. Her central theme was the necessity for inter-industry
collaboration between those already working in the world oceans and proposed
new entrants.
It is the seventh year Chatham - one of the most advanced marine mining
projects in the world - has updated the marine mining industry on progress.
Chatham has held a granted mining licence since December 2013 and plans to
apply for a marine consent in the fourth quarter of 2018.
Attendance at UMC will be followed by meetings in The Netherlands with
Boskalis and Deltares. Both have worked with Chatham for several years on
developing the phosphate extraction technology, as well as measuring and
targeting the minimisation of possible environmental impacts. Some of this
work is being funded by grants from the Dutch Government.
Chris Castle - +64 21 55 81 85 or chris@widespread.co.nz
About Chatham Rock Phosphate
Chatham Rock Phosphate is the custodian of New Zealand''s only material
resource of environmentally friendly pastoral phosphate fertiliser. Our key
role is connecting the resource with those who need it.
Using this phosphate will support sustainable farming practices, including
healthier soils and reduced accumulation of the heavy metal cadmium,
dramatically lowering runoff to waterways and shrinking fertiliser needs over
time.
The resource has an estimated worth of $5 to $7 billion, representing one of
New Zealand''s most valuable mineral assets and is of huge strategic
significance because phosphate is essential to maintain New Zealand''s high
agricultural productivity.
New Zealand''s current access to phosphate is vulnerable to economic and
political events in the six countries controlling 98% of the world''s
phosphate reserves, with 85% of the total in the Western Saharan state of
Morocco.
Chatham takes very seriously the responsibility vested in it through its
mining permit to use the world''s best knowledge and technology to safely
extract this resource to help sustainably feed the world.
Our initial environmental consenting process established extraction would
have no significant impact on fishing yields or profitability, marine mammals
or seabirds.
Neither the Exchange, its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is
defined under the policies of the Exchange), or New Zealand Exchange Limited
has in any way passed upon the merits of the Transaction and associated
transactions, and has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of
this press release.
End CA:00307858 For:CRP Type:GENERAL Time:2017-09-27 10:20:36