A research vessel is expected at the Chatham Rise on Thursday, to test sampling equipment which Chatham Rock Phosphate plans to use in the area later this year.
The company has an exploration license for more than 4200 square kilometres of seafloor, 450km east of Wellington, and is developing a project to mine phosphate for use as a fertiliser.
Test samples collected over the next few days will verify the electronic information gathered during an 11 day scientific research voyage before Christmas.
New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals has approved the testing work.
