Seabed mining Taranaki 2016
Update
On Tuesday 8th November the Environment Court upheld a challenge by Kiwis Against Seabed Mining (KASM), local Maori and fishing interests, against a foreign owned seabed mining company Trans-Tasman Resources (TTR).
On Monday 7th November the Environment Court heard the case brought by KASM, asking the Court to order TTR to reveal information hidden in the company’s application to mine iron sand from the South Taranaki Bight.
The judge has delivered his verdict and it’s a good one for KASM and all Kiwis.
You can still make a submission using the online form at Kiwis Against Seabed Mining (KASM), it’s super easy and will only take a few minutes. Have your say on seabed mining here. Do this before 14 November 2016.
Introduction
On 23 August 2016 Trans-Tasman Resources Ltd (TTR) submitted an application with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to mine the seabed off the coast of Patea, South Taranaki Bight, for iron sand. Their intention is to extract a maximum of 50 million tonnes of the seabed each year for a period of 35 years. This follows from an application to mine the same area in 2013.
Excavation would occur in depths ranging from 19 to 42 metres. The proposal area covers 65.76 square kilometres of seabed between 22 to 36 kilometres offshore of Patea.
TTR will process the extracted material, remove then export up to 5 million tonnes of iron sand per year, for up to 35 years.
Through LegaSea the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council has worked with Kiwis Against Seabed Mining (KASM) to better understand what the application might mean for the west coast. KASM provided guidance as a submission was developed.
A submission recommending the application be declined was lodged with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) on 14 October.
After the submission was sent the EPA advised the deadline had been extended until 14 November.
Relevant information
Click on the right hand image to download the relevant document. Latest documents are at the top of the list.
LegaSea update. 10 November 2016
On Tuesday 8th November the Environment Court upheld a challenge by Kiwis Against Seabed Mining (KASM), local Maori and fishing interests, against a foreign owned seabed mining company Trans-Tasman Resources (TTR). At this stage submissions to the EPA close on Monday 14th November. KASM is applying to have the submission period extended so the public can submit taking into account this recent informtation.
EPA update. 14 October 2016
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has extended the deadline for submissions in response to the seabed mining application by Trans-Tasman Resources Ltd. The closing date has changed from 14 October to 14 November 2016. Read the EPA media release about the submission deadline extension here.
NZSFC submission. Seabed mining Taranaki. 14 October 2016
The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council – LegaSea submission advocates the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) must decline the seabed mining application by Trans-Tasman Resources Ltd. The NZSFC does not believe the TTR application meets the legal requirements of the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2012. A precautionary decision must be made to protect this coastline, to preserve the productivity of the marine environment and protect fish stocks for future generations.
NPSUC submission. Seabed mining Taranaki. 14 October 2016
The New Plymouth Sport Fishing and Underwater Club submission opposes the Trans-Tasman Resources Ltd application based on the grounds that the applicant, TTR, has not provided all available data on the environmental impacts. The information that has been presented fails to address the Club’s concerns, and there is no evidence that the seabed mining work can be carrired out in a way which will not negatively affect the marine environment.
TTR application. Seabed mining Taranaki. 23 August 2016
Trans-Tasman Resources Ltd application to mine the seabed off Patea for iron sand. TTR plan to extract a maximum of 50 million tonnes of the seabed each year for a period of 35 years, in depths ranging from 19 to 42 metres. The proposal area covers 65.76 square kilometres of seabed between 22 to 36 kilometres offshore of Patea, in the South Taranaki Bight. TTR will process the extracted material, remove then export up to 5 million tonnes of iron sand per year, for up to 35 years.
TTR discharge consent application. South Taranaki Bight. 23 August 2016
Trans-Tasman Resources Ltd application for a marine discharge consent to undertake a notified or non-notified discretionary activity, under s87B of the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2012.
TTR impact assessment report. South Taranaki Bight. August 2016
Trans-Tasman Resources Ltd impact assessment report in support of their marine consent and marine discharge consent applications relating to the South Taranaki Bight seabed mining application. These applications follow a previous application to mine the seabed for iron sand in 2013. That 2013 seabed mining application was declined on a number of grounds. 320 pages of detail.
TTR impact assessment report appendices. August 2016
Trans-Tasman Resources Ltd impact assessment report appendices. Report by TTR relating to the South Taranaki Bight offhsore iron sand extraction and processing project. More than 510 page of detail, some of which is challenged by the NZ Sport Fishing Council in their submission. This appendices report is more than 24MB so please download it directly from the Environmental Protection Authority website here.
NZSFC submission. 2013 – 2014 process
The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council – LegaSea team were involved and submitted to the original TTR seabed mining application in late 2013. Please go here for more details.