TTR sets out basis of appeal

Location of the ironsand sampling off the coast of Patea. Photo/File

Trans-Tasman Resources will argue the Environmental Protection Agency did not apply the law correctly when declining consent to mine the South Taranaki seabed.

The company released documents outlining the basis of its appeal this week which will ask the High Court to make the EPA reconsider its application.

TTR also wants compensation for the increased costs brought about by the appeal.

Among its arguments will be that the EPA did not base the decision on the best information available, did not adhere to the Exclusive Economic Zone Act requirements and failed to apply expert evidence to the decision. TTR will argue process was favoured over content with the hearings rushed to fit into a timeframe.

TTR announced its decision to appeal, as was widely expected, on July 1.

The company had applied for a consent to mine 66sq/km of seabed between 22 and 36km offshore in the South Taranaki Bight, in what would be one of the first projects of its kind in New Zealand.

Up to 50 million tonnes of sand per year would be processed on ships to remove iron ore with about 45 million tonnes of waste sand returned to the seabed.

A case management conference will be held on August 25.