CHATHAM ROCK PHOSPHATE AND OUR GOVERNMENT – A 12 MONTH REPORT CARD
A year after first communicating with the incoming government, it is timely for Chatham Rock Phosphate Ltd. to reiterate the messages it has sent directly to key ministers during this period.
The company keeps sending these messages as the benefits of this project include a well-documented and established range of environmental and health-related benefits as well as provide an obvious boost to the company’s economy.
Chatham rock phosphate is already located here in New Zealand and does not have to be imported from the other side of the world. Its ownership is also undisputed, unlike the rock being imported from the Western Sahara. As well, the company’s permit area contains significant byproducts, including rare earths and other green minerals.
The area the company would disturb during its mine life (less than 500 square kilometres in total, or 30 square kilometres a year) represents less than a quarter of 1 per cent of the Chatham Rise, a tiny area compared with the 19,000 square kilometres of the Rise bottom trawled annually in the area by the fishing industry with few identified ill effects; the impacts on the sea floor are broadly the same.
Chatham is a really good news story, which is why it is worth repeating these messages again herein. Also, it is also why the company will continue to request meetings with key ministers in order to communicate these messages in person.
This project deserves to be supported by any government, in any country and particularly so by the Labour/Green/NZ First coalition in New Zealand.
In summary, it ticks all the boxes: environmental, health, ethical, security of supply, economic, regional development, rare earths and other green minerals:
The company’s rock is a proven reactive phosphate rock. Using it results in much less runoff into waterways and an improved soil profile compared with the effects of manufactured fertilizers.
It is an organic fertilizer with no additives and with the only processing being grinding and possible pelletization.
It contains ultralow levels of cadmium, a cancer-causing heavy metal with much greater concentrations in other rock phosphate deposits.
Being locally sourced and needing to be applied less frequently results in much lower carbon emissions (in effect increasing the present New Zealand electric vehicle fleet from 10,000 to 29,000 vehicles).
It is New Zealand’s only significant source of phosphate and seabed extraction that involves a far smaller environmental impact than that imposed on local overseas communities which mine phosphate.
The rock is within one-day sailing distance and supply is far more secure (and more ethical) than phosphate rock imported from unstable regions on the other side of the world.
The project economics are attractive and Chatham will pay significant royalties and income taxes.
The project will generate new jobs in environmental monitoring, on the mining ship, in the home port, and in the science and agricultural sectors.
Chatham rock phosphate has been independently shown to be as effective as other phosphate fertilizers used in New Zealand. The company could provide the two fertilizer co-ops, supplying most of New Zealand’s fertilizer, with a green fertilizer alternative to naturally complement their other products.
- The company’s rock is a proven reactive phosphate rock. Using it results in much less runoff into waterways and an improved soil profile compared with the effects of manufactured fertilizers.
- It is an organic fertilizer with no additives and with the only processing being grinding and possible pelletization.
- It contains ultralow levels of cadmium, a cancer-causing heavy metal with much greater concentrations in other rock phosphate deposits.
- Being locally sourced and needing to be applied less frequently results in much lower carbon emissions (in effect increasing the present New Zealand electric vehicle fleet from 10,000 to 29,000 vehicles).
- It is New Zealand’s only significant source of phosphate and seabed extraction that involves a far smaller environmental impact than that imposed on local overseas communities which mine phosphate.
- The rock is within one-day sailing distance and supply is far more secure (and more ethical) than phosphate rock imported from unstable regions on the other side of the world.
- The project economics are attractive and Chatham will pay significant royalties and income taxes.
- The project will generate new jobs in environmental monitoring, on the mining ship, in the home port, and in the science and agricultural sectors.
- Chatham rock phosphate has been independently shown to be as effective as other phosphate fertilizers used in New Zealand. The company could provide the two fertilizer co-ops, supplying most of New Zealand’s fertilizer, with a green fertilizer alternative to naturally complement their other products.
The company repeats its request to meet and brief the key ministers of this government in order to gain the support that this project so richly merits. It is good for the environment, good for the economy and good for New Zealand.
