Seabed Mining

In 2016, Trans Tasman Resources Ltd (TTR) applied to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to mine 50 million tonnes of the seabed a year (for 35 years) off a 66 sq km area in the South Taranaki Bight.  The EPA hearings began on 16 February 2017, and decision was released 3 August. 

EPA grants a marine licence to Trans Tasman Resources, 3 August 2017

KASM press release on the decision: KASM stunned by seabed mining green light, will appeal decision. 

KASM’s Notice of Appeal filed with the High Court (and Press Release

KASM legal summary of the decision 

Short briefing on the decision

Link to the actual decision from the EPA. 

KASM documents relating to the case. 

KASM and Greenpeace closing submission, 25 May 2017

KASM and Greenpeace opening submission to the EPA hearing, 16 February 2017

KASM and Greenpeace memo to the EPA about their submissions analysis, 28 February 2017

KASM and Greenpeace memo to the EPA about calling more evidence (Memo 41), April 2017 

KASM expert evidence submitted to the EPA 

Shaw Mead:  ecology 

Ngaire Phillips – toxicology 

Leigh Torres – marine mammals and noise 

John Cockrem – penguins and birds 

Jim Binney – economics 

Dougal Greer – benthic 

November 2016 KASM challenges redacted documents in the Environment Court 

The EPA agreed to TTR’s application to redact hundreds of pages of its application, so KASM (with Ngati Ruanui and Talley’s Fisheries) challenged this in the Environment Court – and won.  

Environment Court decision 

KASM submission 

 

2014 case – EPA refused consent. 

KASM summary of EPA decision refusing TTR consent for seabed mining, 2014.