Record number of seabed mining submissions expected

Iron-sand was being sampled offshore from Patea in 2013, prior to a mining application being made. PHOTO/ FILE

Submissions on Trans-Tasman Resources' applications to mine the South Taranaki seabed have closed and record numbers are expected.

There could be as many as 17,000, including one from Matt Watson of the ITM Fishing Show, one from recreational fishing organisation LegaSea and at least four from environmental groups, Kiwis Against Seabed Mining (KASM) chairman Phil McCabe said.

The submissions are to the Environmental Protection Authority. Its spokeswoman said it had no indication of numbers or content yet.

Trans-Tasman Resources wants marine consents and marine discharge consents to extract and process iron-sand within the South Taranaki Bight. The application area covers 65.76 square kilometres (of seabed between 22-36kms offshore in waters 20-42m deep.

The company proposes to extract and export up to 5 million tonnes of iron sand per year, for up to 35 years.

The submission period has been extended twice, most recently because the Environment Court ruled that redacted (blacked out) portions of the company's applications must be available to the public.

There were more than 4600 submissions made on the company's first applications to mine the seabed, most of them opposing. The applications were declined in 2014.

KASM was now turning its focus to expert evidence against the mining proposal. Mr McCabe said it would create a precedent for other seabed mining, on the west coast of the North Island and off Waihi Beach.