SFO investigates fraud claims in Aussie mining bid

An Australian company that wanted to mine areas near Nelson has been accused of making false statements to support its application. File photo / Thinkstock

An Australian company that wanted to mine areas near Nelson is under investigation after allegations false statements may have been made supporting its application.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) said this morning it had started investigating exploration and mining company Greywolf Resources NL's application after it received information from the Ministry of Economic Development (MED).

The MED this week rejected Greywolf's for prospecting and exploration permits within the Golden Bay and Abel Tasman areas.

In a statement today, SFO director Adam Feeley said that from the information received, it appeared that false statements may have been made in support of the applications.

Mr Feeley said that the focus of the investigation "would be to determine the authenticity of certain statements made in the applications and, if there was false information, to also determine who was responsible for making those statements".

"Maintaining the integrity of the regulatory regime, coupled with the considerable financial value of the permits, means that there is significant public interest in investigating this matter further."

Mr Feeley said the applications related to three petroleum exploration and seven mineral exploration permits for various parts of New Zealand.

MED said it rejected the applications due to "deficiencies in the financial information provided" while Greywolf said public pressure had forced it to withdraw its application.

MED said it was also concerned about Greywolf's ability to give effect to the permits, including the various work programmes.

Greywolf's Sydney-based chief executive Edward Lancaster this year said he had huge Chinese financial backing, but refused to name the backers.

In a statement, Mr Lancaster said the Greywolf board had asked him to "take a step back from New Zealand" to work on its application to list on the Australian sharemarket this year.

- NZPA