New Zealand’s Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has refused permission for a bid to mine phosphate from the Chatham Rise’s deep sea bed – a decision welcomed by environmental groups who opposed the scheme.
The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC), Kiwis Against Seabed Mining (KASM) and Greenpeace joined forces to oppose the application by Chatham Rock Phosphate to mine at depths of 450m in a 5,200km² off the east coast of New Zealand.
“The area is home to many whales, is in an area closed to trawling, and the deep seabed holds deep sea corals and many other species which would have been destroyed by phosphate mining, including endemic species, species which are found nowhere else,” said Phil McCabe from KASM.
Greenpeace raised other concerns about the presence of uranium in the phosphate, which it said could present a number of difference issues for farms and food exports.
“It has become clear that the activity of seabed mining cannot be carried out without creating unacceptable damage to the marine environment,” added Barry Weeber of DSCC. “The EPA has acknowledged all the concerns we raised, but above all, it’s a confirmation of the value New Zealanders hold for our marine environment.”
