New Zealand phosphate sea mining company seeks EPA approval

By Dale Benton
A company based in New Zealand that plans to mine up to 1.5 million tonnes of phosphate from deep seabed deposits, which was denied the right to mine, l...

A company based in New Zealand that plans to mine up to 1.5 million tonnes of phosphate from deep seabed deposits, which was denied the right to mine, looks set to reapply for its mining licence.

The company, Chatham Rock Phosphate, holds a mining licence over an area off the coast of New Zealand with significant seabed deposits of rock phosphate and other potentially valuable minerals.

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) refused to give the company consent back in 2015 but in recent news, it has emerged that up to 55,000 tonnes of phosphate have been seized in South Africa – on its way to New Zealand.

55,000 tonnes of phosphate is one eighth of New Zealand’s total annual needs, and the company sees this as definitive proof that the project should go ahead.

The project

Extraction of the rock phosphate would provide a locally produced alternative to the 1 million tonnes of this material annually used in New Zealand and primarily imported from Morocco, thereby reducing our carbon footprint as well as high transport and foreign exchange costs.

The seized phosphate apparently was illegally mined in Morocco, rendering it illegal for export.

Preliminary studies indicate the rock phosphate can be extracted using existing technology for much less than the cost of buying and importing it from Morocco.

Extraction of the resource would be conducted in accordance with the environmental guidelines published by the International Marine Minerals Society “Code for Environmental Management of Marine Mining”.

50,000 leagues under the sea: Deep sea mining and the world of tomorrow

Treasures of the ocean: India to sign contract for exclusive deep sea mining

Deep sea mining: countries in Africa should urge caution, says new report

 

Share

Featured Articles

Laws Thwart US Bid to Match China on Lithium Mining

US bid to increase domestic production of lithium in order to reduce reliance on Chinese supplies of critical mineral frustrated by 'confusing' state laws

Bain: 'Inflation Dampening Mining Leaders' Net Zero Hopes'

Bain & Company’s annual Energy & Natural Resource Executive Survey shows 62% of energy execs say high costs mean net zero goals won't be met by 2060

Focus on: Lithium – ‘White Gold’ Driving the EV Revolution

Because of the move to electric vehicles, the metal lithium is rapidly becoming a vitally important part of world’s bid to move away from fossil fuels

Aluminium Industry Calls for new North America Body

Supply Chain & Operations

Data-Driven ABB Smart Hoisting Solution 'is Safety Boon'

Digital Mining

Deep Sea EV Metals Mining Firm in Greenpeace Clash

Sustainability