Boskalis wins contract for seabed mining deal
Royal Boskalis Westminster in The Netherlands has been selected by Chatham Rock Phosphate Limited (CRP) to undertake the detailed design of its offshore rock phosphate nodule project at Chatham Rise.
Boskalis was selected following a full review of three scoping studies submitted by global dredging contractors.
Chatham Rise is located 450km east of Christchurch and covers an area of 4,726 km2 of significant seabed deposits of rock phosphate at a depth of approximately 400m.
The establishment of a rock phosphate industry has a significant number of economic, environmental and market benefits. The phosphate will be applied as an agriculture fertilizer, replacing current long distance imports.
The innovative project approach developed by Boskalis is based on a recovery and separation system for the phosphate nodules applying adapted and proven dredging technology.
CRP will enter into discussions with Boskalis to undertake detailed design and production testing. Furthermore, Boskalis will be closely involved in associated environmental studies which are now commencing.
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