Trans-Tasman Resources has applied for one of the two authorisations it needs to mine ironsand in the South Taranaki Bight.
Its application for a mining permit went to NZ Petroleum and Minerals, a branch of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, on Friday last week.
Raglan-based Phil McCabe is chairman of Kiwis Against Seabed Mining (Kasm), which opposes the mining. He suspects the application will be a precedent-setter.
"If it goes ahead there's a high likelihood of a number of mining sites up and down the west coast," Mr McCabe said.
Climate Justice Taranaki has also vowed to fight against the mining.
The permit is one of two things Trans-Tasman Resources (TTR) needs before it can start mining, its executive manager environment and approvals Andy Sommerville said.
"It's an allocative right that the Government hands out, and it gives exclusive rights to mine."
The ministry will assess the company's information about the ironsand resource, the area's geology, the proposed work programme and the company's ability to manage the mining safely. That assessment is likely to take months, Mr Sommerville said.
The application covers an area of 65.76 square kilometres between 22km and 35km offshore and within New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). It's a smaller area and further out to sea than the company had initially considered.
"If they get that application granted they will look for other areas to mine. Our understanding is that [those areas are] larger and closer to shore," Mr McCabe said.
TTR will also have to get an environmental marine consent before starting mining. It plans to lodge that application with the Environmental Protection Agency in October. The application will come under new EEZ legislation passed last year.
That application would give people a chance to have input, Mr McCabe said.
"You have a 20-working-day window to participate by making a submission. That keeps you in the process and gives you a chance to speak at the hearing."
In the meantime, Kasm is continuing its campaign to inform the public, with meetings in Patea, Hawera and New Plymouth during the last few weeks. It also has information online at kasm.org.nz and daily updates on Facebook.
TTR has been investigating mining the ironsand on the North Island's west coast since 2007. Final results of those studies are not yet available, but the company has promised to publicise them when they are.
Chief executive Tim Crossley said research suggests there is a vast mineral resource in the South Taranaki Bight, with the potential to supply Asian markets with iron ore at low cost. The project should provide long-term employment and benefits to South Taranaki and Wanganui communities, he said, and the company is committed to mining in a safe, environmentally sustainable manner.