Chatham Rock Phosphate water turbidity model shows encouraging results

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12 November 2012

Highly sophisticated computer models of the turbidity from material disturbed during extraction of rock phosphate nodules by Chatham Rock Phosphate have shown encouraging results.
 
The modelling work is being undertaken by Dutch applied research organisation Deltares using complex modelling techniques developed at their Delft headquarters.  Deltares was asked to look at the dispersion behaviour of sediments released during the proposed extraction process.
 
The modelling results will now be independently evaluated.
 
CRP is planning to take rock phosphate nodules from the seabed on the Chatham Rise using a trailing suction dredge.  This will involve jetting to loosen the sediment, sucking the material up a pipe to the ship, separating the nodules and re-depositing the remaining material onto the seafloor.  
 
The Deltares models are designed to predict the turbidity effects and sedimentation patterns of  the material returned to the seafloor, taking into account seasons, currents, temperatures, salinity, velocity, location, method of deposition, etc.  The models are based on the proposed mining plan that involves extraction in identified areas for four days out of 10 to 12, with the rest of the time dedicated to transit to and from port and for unloading.
 
The model parameters are derived from analyses of sand and silt samples recovered during research voyages earlier this year. The modelling is being carried out to identify potential impacts on water column or seabed marine life and to help design a mining system that minimises these effects.
 
The initial findings predict that most of the sediment (10 – 20 cm per cycle) is returned to the seabed parallel to the mining track, near its point of origin.  The thickness of sediments deposited outside the mining area is in the order of a few mm per cycle, and small amounts are transported through the water.
 
The modelling predicts “high sediment concentrations are only observed during the mining activities.  During the transitional period (in between mining cycles) sediment concentrations reduce rapidly.
 
“Sediment concentrations outside the mining area are generally low (less than 1 milligram per litre).  Due to direct placement on the seabed, the average vertical dispersion is limited; sediment concentrations decay rapidly in the lower 10m of the water column.  
 
“Once mining activities are interrupted, maximum sediment concentration values reduce below 0.02 milligrams per litre for the clay fraction (within 72 hours) and below 0.01 milligrams per litre for the silt fraction (within 24 hours).”
 
CRP chief executive Chris Castle said these initial results, which are now to be subjected to further independent review, were encouraging.
 
“The environmental effects have been a key focus in the design of the mining system because we want to minimise the amount of material dispersed in the water column and across the seafloor.
 
“With the current mining plan we expect that about 30 square kilometres will be disturbed each year. Over the entire project life of 15 years that’s just 0.1 per cent of the Chatham Rise.
 
“We’re encouraged by the potentially low environmental impacts predicted by the models.   When added to the low cadmium of the product, its low carbon footprint (compared to imported alternatives) and low run-off features when directly applied to pastures, this potentially provides another significant environmental plus.”
 
Mr Castle said more modelling is being done and will be evaluated, and the results will form part of the information being compiled for the marine consent application to the Environmental Protection Authority next year.
 
Chris Castle – +64 21 558 185 or chris@widespread.co.nz

 

Chatham Rock Phosphate congratulates Namibian phosphate company

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5th November 2012

Chatham Rock Phosphate today congratulated Namibian Marine Phosphate on news it has received a mining licence from that country’s Ministry of Trade and Industry.

“It’s an exciting global milestone for the industry,” CRP chief executive Chris Castle said.  “We hope to be in a similar position within a few months.”

NMP is now waiting to receive environmental approvals before it can start extraction.

CRP applied for a mining licence with New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals at the end of September and will be applying for a marine consent to the Environmental Protection Authority as soon as the Exclusive Economic Zone regulations are completed next year.

Mr Castle said there were several similarities between the Namibian project and CRP’s proposal to extract phosphate from the seabed at depths of 400 metres on the Chatham Rise, east of New Zealand.

“NMP is using a similar suction hopper dredge to what we are proposing, at depths of 180 to 300 metres.  It is contracting Jan De Nul, a Belgian based dredging specialist, whereas we are using Boskalis, of the Netherlands, which has become one of our cornerstone shareholders. 

Both companies are adopting a similar approach to the mining technology.  But NMP will pump the extracted sediments 60 km to shore.  With CRP, our project is located 450 km from New Zealand and 200 km from the Chatham Islands, which is too far to pump, so our vessel will bring each load to shore,” Mr Castle said.

The Namibian project is expected to be a significant economic boon for the local economy in terms of jobs, downstream industry and tax.

“The Chatham Rock Phosphate project will benefit our economy by $1.3 billion, according to a study by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, through import substitution, exports and increased economic activity.  We will pay significant tax and royalties and should also benefit the Chatham Islands’ economy.”

CRP expects to start operations at the end of 2014.

CRP has also applied for five prospecting licences offshore Namibia covering about 45 sq km. The licences, to prospect for undersea phosphate, are at water depths similar to the licence area CRP holds on the Chatham Rise.

“Our strategy is to extend the use of the mining capability we are developing and apply that technology to extract undersea phosphate in other parts of the world,” Mr Castle said.

Chris Castle – +64 21 55 81 85 or chris@widespread.co.nz

 

Chatham Rock Phosphate centre stage at UMI Conference

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18th October 2012

Chatham Rock Phosphate is centre stage at the Underwater Mining Institute conference being held at Shanghai this week.
 
CRP principal scientist Dr Robin Falconer updated the conference on recent corporate milestones and presented the findings of the four cruises conducted in the Chatham Rise licence area, east of New Zealand over the 2011-12 summer at a cost of $7 million.
 
The cruises, on the Dorado Discovery, used the latest technology to closely analyse the resource, already well defined using older technology in the 1970s and 80s.  
 
The scientists demonstrated how modern techniques have been able to assist CRP in developing its mining plan, design its mining system and pinpoint areas of marine life.
 
The surveys collected:

  •  Multibeam swath bathymetry data (ship and ROV)
  •  Sub-bottom profile data
  •  Side-scan sonar data
  •  Magnetic anomaly data
  •  Sea floor samples (grab, box core, vibrocore, ROV)
  •  Video and still photos of the sea floor
  •  Geotechnical data (cone penetrometer and jet testing).


Dr Falconer said the main factors influencing the design of mining system and plan were the variations in:

  •  the water depth and features
  •  the thickness and composition of the sandy silt
  •  resource concentrations.

Also critical was designing a mining system that minimised the environmental impact on the sea floor and in the water column.

The other main focus has involved establishing the economics, especially capital and operational expenses, and the make-up and locations of the expected market.

In addition to the CRP presentation, Gert Jan Grundlehner from Boskalis, CRP’s technical partner and cornerstone shareholder, spoke on the mining operations and system design.

Another paper relevant to the CRP project was that by Malcolm Clark of the National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research who provided a New Zealand perspective on the science requirements for managing the environmental effects of seabed mining.

Tom Dettweiler of Odyssey Marine Exploration, which operates the Dorado Discovery, also spoke on the multidisciplinary mineral exploration services provided by the vessel when undertaking four cruises for Chatham Rock Phosphate earlier this year.

It is the third year CRP - one of the most advanced marine mining projects in the world - has updated the marine mining industry on progress.

CRP submitted its mining licence application with New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals in late September to extract rock phosphate nodules from the seabed in 400 metre waters.  It plans to apply for a marine consent in the second quarter of 2013, as soon as the regulations for the EEZ legislation are complete.  

Establishment of a rock phosphate industry in New Zealand territorial waters has a significant number of economic, environmental and market benefits.


Chris Castle – +64 21 55 81 85 or chris@widespread.co.nz

 

Chatham Rock Phosphate beneficiation tests yield promising results

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18 October 2012 

Tests to beneficiate the rock phosphate extracted by Chatham Rock Phosphate are encouraging.

Beneficiation is a process to raise the level of phosphate in the rock that can increase its value. It also extends its variety of uses and the types of fertiliser that can be manufactured.

Scientists at Victoria University working under contract for CRP have already succeeded in beneficiating the rock from 21.6% to 28.5% P205. These studies are continuing.

Chief Executive Chris Castle said the results of the laboratory tests are very encouraging.

“This should result in an increased sales value for the beneficiated rock.  It would mean more of it can it could be used to make superphosphate than we have been assuming to date, and it would increase export reach and hence revenues.”

Mr Castle said a number of fertiliser companies, both in New Zealand and overseas, are being asked to assess the attractiveness and feasibility of using CRP’s beneficiated rock.  

“The next step is to scope the cost of achieving this value increase on a commercial scale.

“If the cost of beneficiation is attractive relative to the increase in value of the product we will embark on a full feasibility study to build a beneficiation plant. Such a plant would create a number of jobs and have a significant positive influence on the New Zealand economy above and beyond the base case benefit of $1.3 billion.”

CRP’s rock phosphate in its organic state is highly regarded as a product with many environmental benefits.  When directly applied to pastures after being crushed and spread it is at least as effective as super phosphate, while significantly reducing run off into waterways.  It also has slow release properties that last for several years and is prized as having very low levels of the heavy metal cadmium.

Chris Castle – +64 21 55 81 85 or chris@widespread.co.nz

 

Allotment of Shares

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Allotment of Shares

 Chatham Rock Phosphate Limited (NZX: CRP) advises that it has today undertaken placements at $0.262 per share and at $0.33 per share.

 1,108,030 ordinary shares were issued at an issue price of $0.33 per share to qualified investors. The issue price of $0.33 represents the volume weighted average price of a share on the NZAX market earlier this week when the pricing for these placements was agreed.

 This has resulted in CRP raising approximately $365,000 in new capital that will be principally devoted to activities related to the Marine Consent environmental application to be made in 2013.  

In addition two contractors of the Company (Widespread Portfolios Ltd and Robin Falconer Associates Ltd) have received 128,817 shares under their respective Contracts for Service at NZD$0.262 per share. These shares represent partial payment for services during the July to September quarter. Pursuant to those contracts for service the issue price of NZ$0.262 per share reflects the 20 day volume weighted average price of a share on the NZAX market to 1 October 2012.

Chris Castle
Managing Director
 

  Email:chris@widespread.co.nz  Class of security:      Ordinary shares
  ISIN:  NZWENE0003S0
  Number issued:    1,236,847 ordinary shares
  Issue price:  $0.262 per ordinary share for 128,817 ordinary  shares $0.33 per ordinary share for 1108,030 ordinary  shares
  Payment in cash:    Yes
  Fully paid:  Yes
  Percentage of class:    0.958%
  Purpose of the issue:    For working capital purposes and partial  consideration of Contracts for Service.
  Authority for the issue:    Board resolutions
  Date of issue:    12 October 2012
  Total number of securities on issue following  allotments:  129,151,466 ordinary shares 

 

Chatham Rock Phosphate share price soars on key milestones

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9 October 2012  

Chatham Rock Phosphate’s shares today reached a new high price of 46c – double that of two weeks ago – on the back of several key milestones.
 
The company’s market capitalisation at that price is nearly $59 million, compared with $22 million before the issue of about 30 million shares on 24 September to Boskalis and Subsea Investments.  
 
Since then the company has:

  • applied for a mining licence with New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals
  • received a favourable report by Edison Investment Research stating the shares were worth $1.87 on an un-risked basis, and
  • spent several days on Chatham Island widely consulting with a range of community and industry groups
  • updated senior government Ministers on progress.

 
“It’s been a pretty amazing couple of weeks,” according to Managing Director Chris Castle.  “It’s gratifying to see the market is recognising the potential of this unique project that could have such significant economic, environmental and market benefits for New Zealand.
 
“It will be a great story to tell when we present to the Underwater Mining Institute conference in Shanghai next week.  It will be the third year CRP has updated the marine mining industry on the project’s progress.  CRP is one of the most advanced marine mining projects in the world.
 
“Our visit to the Chatham Islands last week was a great opportunity to provide the community with information on our plans and to listen to their ideas.  We were also able to address any concerns they had and provide information on a wide range of issues.
 
“We received a fantastic welcome and were able to look at potential ways the project could assist the Chatham Islands community.
 
CRP was granted a prospecting licence in February 2010 and plans to apply for a marine consent in the second quarter of 2013, as soon as the regulations for the EEZ legislation are complete.  
 
CRP holds an offshore prospecting permit covering an area of 4726 km2 on the central Chatham Rise. The permit area, in New Zealand territorial waters, is located 450 km east of Christchurch and includes significant shallow seabed deposits of rock phosphate. Establishment of a rock phosphate industry in New Zealand territorial waters has a significant number of economic, environmental and market benefits.
 
Other achievements over recent months include:

  • September: An assessment by the Institute of Economic Research valuing the project’s economic value to New Zealand at $1.3 billion
  • July: Boskalis taking up to 20% shareholding  and right to a board seat in a world first for the underworld mining industry
  • June: International phosphate industry identity Najib Moutia assuming a key strategy and marketing role within CRP
  • June: CRP pegging ground offshore Namibia to develop rock phosphate deposits
  • December-April: A four-leg $7 million summer research cruise programme collecting a wealth of data
  • March: American equity fund Subsea taking a cornerstone shareholding.

 


Chris Castle – +64 21 55 81 85 or chris@widespread.co.nz

 

 

Chatham Rock Phosphate files mining licence application

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28 September 2012 

Chatham Rock Phosphate today achieved another major milestone on the pathway to developing its subsea resource on the Chatham Rise by filing its mining licence application with New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals.

The application is the culmination of two and a half years work since the company was granted a prospecting licence in February 2010.

“The application is a comprehensive summary of the scientific work we have completed and our plan on how we intend to extract the rock phosphate resource,” Chief Executive Chris Castle said today. “It’s a very significant achievement reflecting a huge effort by a very skilled scientific and management team.”

Establishment of a rock phosphate industry in New Zealand territorial waters will have significant economic, environmental and market benefits.

Mr Castle said the mining licence would be assessed by NZPM over the coming months.  CRP plans to file its marine consent application, whose centrepiece will be a comprehensive environmental impact assessment report, in the first half of next year.

“We plan to issue the marine consent application as soon as the regulations for the EEZ legislation are complete.  The current timing for this is April or May 2013, but if the regulations take longer to finalise, we will consider filing the application under the transitional provisions of the existing Continental Shelf Act.

“We need to keep the project timeline aligned with the major capital investment that will be made to develop the required mining technology.”

The mining licence application includes information on the rationale for the application; technical data on the location, physiography, climate, local resources and infrastructure, geology and understanding of the resource; CRP’s proposed work programme; its approach to environmental planning (full information will be included in the marine consent application); the company’s ability to manage the project and an independent economic assessment.

CRP holds an offshore prospecting permit covering an area of 4726 km2 on the central Chatham Rise. The permit area, in New Zealand territorial waters, is located 450 km east of Christchurch and includes significant shallow seabed deposits of rock phosphate. Establishment of a rock phosphate industry in New Zealand territorial waters has a significant number of economic, environmental and market benefits.

Today’s milestone is the latest in a list of achievements over recent months including:

  • An assessment by the Institute of Economic Research valuing the project’s economic value to New Zealand at $1.3 billion
  • Independent research house Edison Research saying the project is worth $381 million on an un-risked basis
  • Dredging giant Boskalis taking up a 20% shareholding and board seat in a world first for the underwater mining industry
  • American private equity fund Subsea investing in a cornerstone shareholding
  • International phosphate industry identity Najib Moutia joining CRP as Vice President strategy and marketing
  • CRP pegging ground offshore Namibia to develop further rock phosphate deposits
  • A four-leg $7 million summer research cruise programme collecting a wealth of data.

“We continue to make excellent progress in achieving milestones with our aim of being in production in early 2015.  Everyone involved in the project is focused on ensuring our planning is comprehensive and that we stay on track towards that goal.”

Chris Castle     +64 21 55 81 85 or chris@widespread.co.nz

 

Edison report values Chatham Rock Phosphate at unrisked $1.87 a share.

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27 September 2012

Edison Investment Research values Chatham Rock Phosphate shares on a success case at $1.87 a share in its first independent report on the company, issued today.

 Wellington based analyst John Kidd said CRP is moving closer to demonstrating a technically and commercially viable undersea mining project.  

He says the equity stake taken by Boskalis significantly reduces doubts over the project’s technical viability.  

He notes CRP’s main focus over the next year will be managing the other main area of risk – mining and environmental approvals.

“In our view Boskalis deciding to join the project at an equity level after completing extensive hands-on due diligence over 18 months is a very material endorsement of the project and of the confidence it has in the technical viability of its mining concept.”

 Mr Kidd says on most scenarios there is substantial upside to the current share price.
 
The report notes that while recovering phosphate from 400m depths would be a world first, three dredging companies were confident it was viable.  
 
The unrisked $1.87 valuation is based on a US$10 million capital raising in 2012 prior to a listing on the TSX-V and assumes full dilution of shares and options. The unrisked valuation on an undiluted basis (assuming existing options are not converted) is around $2.29. Last sale price for the shares is 23 cents.
 
Mr Kidd says the main value drivers are the rock price, foreign exchange movements and mining costs.

The link to the full report is here

Edison Research website : www.edisonresearch.com

Chris Castle - Managing Director CRP - +64 21 55 81 85 or chris@widespread.co.nz