Final checks are being made at the Pike River mine on Monday in preparation for the start of the lengthy process to re-enter the coal mine.
The remains of 29 men killed in an explosion on 19 November last year have yet to be recovered.
Pike River Coal's statutory manager Steve Ellis says the mines rescue team will check gas levels and make sure all necessary equipment and resources are ready for the operation scheduled to begin on Tuesday .
He says readings that show oxygen and carbon monoxide levels have fallen to an acceptable level make him reasonably confident the work will start.
The re-entry will be in stages. The initial work involves sealing off the first 100 metres of the mine to stopping oxygen getting in.
