Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
27 May 2012 - 9:09 pm NZ time
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Pike River Mine News
- PM happy to meet again with Pike River families
- Prime Minister John Key says he would be happy to meet again with the families of the men who died at Pike River.
- Families hear no guarantee bodies will be recovered
- Families of men who died in the Pike River disaster have been told there are no guarantees about the recovery of the bodies of their relatives.
- Families say no mining until bodies retrieved
- Families of the victims of the Pike River mining disaster are threatening to block coal sales from the mine if it is commercially reopened without the dead being brought out first.
- Spotlight back on ventilation fan
- An expert in mine safety says the spotlight has been thrown back on the ventilation fan as one of the most likely sources of the sparks that caused the initial explosion at the Pike River mine.
- Manufacturer says device not to blame for Pike disaster
- Evidence to the Pike River Royal Commission pointing to problems with a key part of the mine's power system as a cause of the fatal explosion has been labelled simplistic and outdated by the manufacturer of the device.
- Criminal charges wanted by Pike relatives
- At least two of the families of those who died in the Pike River mine disaster want to see criminal charges laid now that the Royal Commission hearings are over.
- Pike Royal Commission hearings completed
- The Pike River Royal Commission has completed its hearings into the disaster which claimed the lives of 29 men in November 2010.
- Case for collective responsibility urged
- The lawyer for six senior managers at the Pike River mine says instead of blaming those in charge at the time of the disaster, everyone involved in the mine's operations should be found collectively responsible for what happened.
- Department's safety standards criticised at inquiry
- The miners' union has highlighted shortcomings in changes to safety standards recommended by the Department of Labour.
- Police chain of command questioned at Pike hearing
- Rescue service 'hampered by bureaucracy'
- New mine rules would give workers more say in safety
- The Labour Department is recommending radical changes to the way underground coal mines are regulated and says the changes will give more power to employees.
- Company expected to make 'best effort' to recover bodies
- The New Zealand Government says Solid Energy is expected to make its best efforts to retrieve the bodies of 29 men who died in the Pike River Coal mine disaster in 2010.
- Pike River families protest delay recovering bodies
- A group of Pike River family members has hung two banners in Greymouth to protest against the delays in recovering the bodies of the men killed in the mine.
- Royal Commission to begin final Pike hearings
- The Royal Commission on the Pike River mining tragedy will begin its final hearings in Greymouth on Monday.
- Pike families fear safety unit will be lost in new ministry
- A spokesperson for families bereaved in the Pike River mine disaster says he is worried over the effect on the mining sector of a planned merger of four Government agencies.
- Creditor cautiously welcomes Pike River sale
- A major creditor of the Pike River Coal mine is remaining cautious about how much money it could get back if the sale is finalised.
- Layoffs among staff working on recovery of Pike bodies
- Families of miners killed in the Pike Rive explosion say they are philosophical about news nine recovery workers are to be made redundant by the mine's receivers.
- Solid Energy to buy Pike River mine
- The Pike River coal mine will be sold to state-owned Solid Energy.
- Explosion not feared by ex Pike manager
- A former manager at the Pike River coal mine says he never feared there would be an explosion at the mine.
- Third phase of inquiry at an end
- The third phase of the Royal Commission into the Pike River disaster ends on Friday.
- Manager stands by criticism of Whittall
- A former Pike River manager has defended his allegation that something was untoward about the ousting of the company's first chief executive.
- Delay seen as safety issue
- The Pike River Royal Commission has heard a delay in installing a gas monitoring system underground was a health and safety issue.
- Final appointment to High Hazards Unit
- The final position has been filled in the High Hazards Unit, set up by the Government after the Pike River tragedy.
- Ingrained culture of blame at mine
- The Royal Commission investigating the Pike River disaster has been told the coal mine had an ingrained blame culture.
- Whittall was dodgy git and liar, inquiry told
- The Pike River Royal Commission has heard the company's chief executive Peter Whittall was described by a mine manager as dodgy and a liar.
- Pike River manager smelt fumes but returned to emails
- A Pike River manager has revealed he smelt fumes in the air on the day the West Coast mine first exploded, shortly before returning to his office and sending emails about a job elsewhere.
- Pike River mine explosion theory challenged
- The Pike River Royal Commission's theory about the cause of the disaster at the West Coast coal mine is being challenged by an electrical company.
- Many opportunities for sparking at mine, inquiry told
- An Australian mining consultant has told an inquiry into the Pike River Coal mine disaster the potential for sparking in the mine was great.
- Miners never stood a chance - Monk
- The spokesperson for the families of the Pike River mine victims is pleased an Australian mine expert has confirmed the families' suspicions that the mine's safety was not up to standard.
- Manager mired in design 'on the run'
- A former manager at the Pike River Mine felt too much of his time was being taken up with crisis management in the months leading up to the disaster which claimed 29 lives.
- Bore hole questions at inquiry
- The Pike River Royal Commission heard on Friday of the value of a bore hole being dug to the area where many of the dead men are thought to have been working at the time of the explosions in November 2010.
- Pike River's methane checking faulty
- A mining expert has told the Pike River Royal Commission that systems for checking levels of highly flammable methane in the mine were faulty at the time of the disaster.
- Escape abilities hindered by ventilation system
- The Royal Commission investigating the Pike River Mine disaster has heard the ventilation system at the mine limited the ability of men to escape following an explosion.
- Departmental finding challenged
- A finding from a Department of Labour investigation into the Pike River mine disaster that an electrical fault caused the explosion has been challenged at the Royal Commission examining the disaster.
- Miners could have caused explosion - lawyer
- Evidence at the Pike River Royal Commission on Wednesday suggested workers could have ignited the methane that caused the explosion at the mine.
- Royal Commission resumes
- The Pike River Royal Commission is nearing the end of its third phase which is looking into the events leading up to the explosion which killed 29 men. It is to look at the immediate cause of the first blast on 19 November, 2010.
- Reporting dates for Royal Commissions extended
- The reporting dates for the Pike River and Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commissions have been extended.
- Pike River Coal health and safety case adjourned
- The Department of Labour says a court hearing about health and safety charges at the Pike River Coal mine has been adjourned for two months.
- Pike River body recovery plan 'too lengthy' says mayor
- The Grey District Mayor says a possible 3½ years is too long to wait for the recovery of the bodies in the Pike River coal mine.
- NZ Oil and Gas writes off Pike River investment
- Shares in New Zealand Oil& Gas fell 2.5% on Thursday after the company said it was writing off the rest of its investment in Pike River Coal.
- Prospect of tougher rules may affect Pike River sale
- The receiver for the Pike River Coal mine says the possibility of tough rules being introduced into the mining industry is deterring would-be buyers.
- Police close to decision on Pike criminal charges
- Police say they will finalise recommendations on whether criminal charges will be laid over the Pike River Coal mine disaster by the end of January.
- Preparations to seal shaft at Pike
- Preparations are being made to seal part of the Pike River coal mine in a first step toward retrieving the remains of 29 men who died in explosions there in November 2010.
- PM to apologise to widow
- Prime Minister John Key is to apologise to a Pike River widow whose deceased husband was accidentally sent a Christmas card from him. The name was on a database from Local Government NZ.
- Pike River body retrieval to begin in March
- The receivers for the Pike River mine have told the families of the 29 men killed there they hope to start discussions in March about bringing them out.
- Inspector appointments 'reassure miners'
- The Pike River Families Committee says the appointment of mine inspector roles will give the kind of safety reassurance needed for miners still working underground.
- Pike Trust will be needed - receiver
- The Pike River Coal company receiver says anyone buying it will have to set up a trust fund to help recover the remains of the 29 men who died in the mine in November last year.
- Pike River Coal won't be sold before Christmas
- Pike River Coal says the mine won't be sold before Christmas. Receiver John Fisk says the sale process is taking longer than initially hoped.
- 3D mine rescue simulator promised
- A 3D mine rescue training simulator is to be built near Greymouth to help train volunteers. it will be funded by Development West Coast.
- Weather delays recovery work at Pike River mine
- Bad weather is interrupting plans to put a seal deep into the main tunnel to the Pike River coal mine.
- Pike safety manager refuses to lay blame for disaster
- Pike River Coal's safety manager has defended his work record and refused to blame anyone for the disaster which killed 29 workers at the West Coast mine.
- Too long to start drilling, says Grey District mayor
- Grey District mayor Tony Kokshoorn says drilling expected to start at the Pike River mine on Sunday is a step in the right direction, but the recovery pace is too slow.
- Drilling to begin for new Pike River seal
- Drilling will commence on Sunday to put a seal deep in the main tunnel of the Pike River Coal mine on the West Coast.
- Pike River safety problems went on for months
- The Pike River Royal Commission has been told that serious safety problems in the mine recurred for months without ever being fixed.
- Safety manager 'intimidated' by Pike River boss
- The man who oversaw safety systems at Pike River Coal mine says he was too intimidated by the chief executive to raise safety problems.
- Pike River chair admits system failures at mine
- The man who chaired Pike River Coal has admitted safety systems failed in the lead-up to the explosion at the mine that killed 29 men.
- Pike receiver hopes US payout won't deter buyers
- The receiver for Pike River Coal hopes a record payout following a similar disaster in the United States is not going to put off potential purchasers from buying the West Coast mine.
- New equipment brought in to help with mine entry
- Another step has been taken towards recovery teams getting into the entry tunnel of the Pike River mine.
- Labour Department's request for secrecy rejected
- The Pike River Royal Commission has rejected a request for the Department of Labour's dossier into the mine disaster to be discussed in secret.
- Call for ex-manager to be forced to give evidence
- The union representing West Coast miners says the law should be changed to force the former chief executive of Pike River Coal to appear before the Royal Commission.
- Worker tells of carbon monoxide poisoning at mine
- Pike River families have reacted strongly to evidence at the Royal Commission from an experienced tunneller about the mine's effect on his health.
- Pike's workforce was inexperienced, says witness
- A witness has told the Pike River Royal Commission the mine had an inexperienced workforce.
- Families call for former chief executive to appear
- The families of workers who died in the Pike River coal mine are calling on former chief executive Gordon Ward to give evidence to the Pike River Royal Commission.
- Pike court appearance deferred
- Three parties charged with health and safety breaches at the Pike River coal mine have had their first court appearance deferred.
- Pike River inquiry hears of lack of expert advice for manager
- The Royal Commission on the Pike River disaster has been told a group of experts due to advise staff about hydro mining dispersed as soon the technique got underway at the mine site.
- MP's first step to prosecute department over Pike disaster
- Green Party MP Kevin Hague has taken what he says is the first step towards laying a prosecution against the Department of Labour over the Pike River disaster.
- Royal Commission told of lack of training at Pike River
- The Royal Commission investigating the Pike River mine tragedy has been hearing concerns about the training of miners working underground in hydro mining operations.
- Pike River miner questioned at commission
- A miner who says he quit the Pike River coal mine because of safety concerns has been questioned at the Royal Commission about what warnings he gave.
- Lack of leadership at Pike River mine, commission told
- The Royal Commission into the Pike River disaster has heard there was a lack of leadership at the mine, and confusion over who was doing what.
- Dysfunction and mistrust at Pike River mine - consultant
- The Royal Commission into the Pike River mine disaster has been told of the dysfunction and mistrust at the mine.
- Commission to hear from miner who quit mine
- The Royal Commission into the Pike River Coal mine disaster will this week hear from a Japanese miner who quit his job at the mine a month before the first explosion, because of concerns about operations there.
- Ceremonies held to remember Pike River men
- The first anniversary of the Pike River mine disaster was marked in emotional ceremonies in Greymouth on Saturday.
- Up to 5000 could attend Pike River anniversary
- A large crowd is expected at a special commemoration of the Pike River mining disaster in Greymouth on Saturday.
- Pike River disaster 'an accident waiting to happen' says expert
- The Royal Commission inquiry into the Pike River disaster has been told health and safety breaches were made repeatedly at the mine, with no improvements to its systems.
- Family wants remains of loved one to stay in mine
- The relatives of a miner killed in the Pike River disaster say they are happy for his body to stay underground.
- Mine inspectors' worries not passed on
- The Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal mine disaster has heard that concerns mine inspectors raised about their workload were not passed on to the manager whose role was to support them.
- Safety ultimately lies with employer, former inspector says
- The mine inspector who had oversight of the Pike River mine at the time of the explosion that killed 29 men has told the Royal Commission safety on the site was ultimately the company's responsibility.
- Relatives want politics kept out of Pike River memorial
- The organisers of a memorial service to mark the first anniversary of the Pike River disaster are working to ensure the day remains non-political.
- Families say still problems in mine inspectorate
- A spokesperson for families bereaved by the Pike River Coal Mine tragedy says deficiencies in the mine inspectorate are causing continuing problems.
- Methane spikes recorded before Pike River explosions
- The Royal Commission on the Pike River coal mine tragedy has been told of a series of sudden rises in the level of methane in the weeks before the November explosions.
- Families say don't blame inspectors
- Bereaved families in Greymouth say they do not blame Department of Labour mining inspectors for failing to monitor the Pike River coal mine before its devastating explosions 2010.
- Reluctance expressed over issuing evidence in advance
- The Royal Commission on the Pike River coal mining tragedy says a leak of evidence before its delivery last week, led one other submitter to express reluctance at revealing his evidence in advance.
- Mine inspector questioned over Pike River explosions
- New Zealand's only inspector of underground coalmines faced stiff cross examination over the explosions at the Pike River Coal Mine when the Royal Commission investigating the tragedy resumed its hearings.
- Whittall to fight charges
- Pike River Coal chief executive Peter Whittall vows to fight the charges he is facing in court in relation to the disaster at the mine where 29 men were killed on 19 November last year.
- Families pleased name suppressions lifted
- The families of those killed in the Pike River mine are pleased the three parties facing charges in court over the deadly explosions last November, have been named.
- Peter Whittall charged over Pike mine disaster
- The former chief executive of Pike River Coal, Peter Whittall, is one of three parties charged by the Department of Labour over the mine disaster in which 29 men died last year. The company itself is also charged.
- 'Unbelievable' bodies not recovered a year on
- Nearly a year on from the Pike River disaster, a former safety manager at the mine whose son died in the disaster says it is gut-wrenching that the bodies of the 29 victims have yet to be recovered.
- Names of accused parties wanted
- The families of the 29 men killed in the Pike River mining tragedy want the three parties charged in connection with the disaster to be named.
- Individual charges not enough - adviser
- An international mine safety adviser says laying charges against individuals for the Pike River mine disaster is not enough when the whole mine safety system needs an overhaul.
- 25 charges laid against three Pike mine parties
- The Department of Labour has laid 25 charges against three parties in connection with the Pike River mine disaster, alleging health and safety failures at the West Coast mine.
- First payment for Pike River contractors
- Contractors owed money by the Pike River Coal Company have received an initial payment.
- Government close to decision on Pike River charges
- The Department of Labour says it will decide whether to lay charges in the next few days over the Pike River mine disaster.
- Japanese expert quit Pike River over explosion fears
- New evidence to be presented to the Pike River Royal Commission shows a Japanese mining expert quit the mine because he was worried it would explode.
- Families frustrated at lack of progress at mine
- The families of the men killed at Pike River mine say they are becoming very frustrated at the lack of progress at the mine.
- Mayor complains Pike River progress not fast enough
- The mayor of Greymouth says progress at the Pike River mine is too slow, as the one year anniversary of the tragedy there approaches.
- Pike River bids now lodged
- Final bids for Pike River Coal have been lodged with the receiver and the sales process is now at an advanced stage.
- Pike receiver refusing to reveal bids
- The receiver for the Pike River Coal Ltd is refusing to reveal whether any bids have been lodged for the mining company.
- NZOG loan to help stabilise Pike River mine
- The majority owner of Pike River Coal, New Zealand Oil & Gas has loaned an extra $5 million to the receivers for the mine to help with the cost of stabilising the mine.
- Pike contractors to start receiving payments
- Contractors who worked for Pike River Coal will receive payments on debts owed by the company by the end of October.
- Plans being finalised for bringing out of bodies
- Plans are being finalised for the way the recovery of bodies from the Pike River mine will be handled once the mine is finally re-entered.
- Pike River Coal chief executive given notice
- The chief executive Pike River Coal has been given notice by the mine's receivers and will leave the company at the end of November this year.
- Pike River Coal reports progress on re-entry
- Pike River Coal says it is making significant progress on it plans to re-enter the mine where the bodies of 29 men remain.
- Emotional Pike boss admits failings over mine disaster
- Pike River Coal's chief executive broke down in tears at an inquiry into the mine disaster on Friday, admitting he could have handled the situation better with families but says information was kept from him.
- PM assures Pike families recovery plan in place
- The Prime Minister says he has assured Pike River families there is a plan in place to recover the bodies of their men from the West Coast mine - but only when it is safe.
- 'Pandemonium' when Pike families told grim news
- A woman whose son died in the Pike River Coal mine disaster says there was absolute pandemonium when family members were told that all 29 men trapped in the mine were dead.
- Pike effort 'paralysed' by managers away from site
- The head of the Mines Rescue Service says the Pike River Coal mine should have been sealed immediately after the initial explosion to put out the fire and allow the recovery of bodies.
- No plans to step in over Pike mine, says PM
- Prime Minister John Key says the Government has no intention of taking over any aspect of the Pike River mine at present.
- Full picture of mine operations not given, inquiry told
- A member of the Pike River technical expert panel says he had concerns they were not given a full picture of operations at the West Coast mine.
- Pike statutory manager rejects rescue plan
- Pike River Coal's statutory manager is refusing to sign off a proposal by Mines Rescue to re-enter the badly damaged mine, saying it is unsafe and there are too many risks and unknowns.
- Pike rescue chief denies being out of his depth
- The commander of the Pike River mine rescue operation has denied he was not up to the task of dealing with the crisis.
- No certainty on safe re-entry, Pike inquiry told
- Families of the men who died last November when the Pike River mine exploded have been told there was almost no reliable certainty as to just when they could have been rescued.
- Pike River testimony leaves Commander in tears
- The police officer in charge of the Pike River mine rescue mission has given emotional testimony to the inquiry into the disaster, describing the families' switch from elation to what he called an outpouring of grief.
- Police questioned further over mine operation
- Police have been defending the fact that mines experts and police were in different locations in the aftermath of the Pike river mine disaster last year.
- Exchange over rescue document at Pike River inquiry
- Legal counsel and a senior police witness have got into a fiery exchange at the inquiry into the Pike River mine disaster.
- Police believed some may have survived initial mine blast
- The inquiry into the Pike River disaster has heard that police believed men might have survived the initial blast at the mine.
- Inquiry hears 111 call from Pike River mine
- The inquiry into the Pike River mine disaster has heard a dramatic account of the day last November when a series of explosions began that led to the deaths of 29 men.
- Unsecured creditors to benefit from Pike River deal
- Hundreds of sub-contractors who worked for the Pike River Coal company will receive early payments under an agreement over an insurance payout.
- Pike River contractors to vote on payment plan
- Contractors who worked for the Pike River Coal company are to vote on an offer for early payouts on debts owed by the mining company.
- Miners' mother says police admit mistakes made
- The mother of a survivor and a victim of the Pike River Coal mine disaster says police have admitted to her they made mistakes in the aftermath of the explosions.
- Images reveal massive damage in Pike mine
- Images showing massive damage caused by the explosions inside the Pike River Coal mine and what may be a body have been shown to the Royal Commission into the disaster.
- Mine manager told of unsafe practices after fatal blast
- The former safety manager at Pike River Coal says he became aware of some unsafe practices occurring underground only after deadly explosions at the mine.
- Mine inquiry told of conflict over an escape ladder
- The former safety manager at the Pike River Coal mine has told an inquiry he did everything he could to prevent a ladder up an air shaft being declared an official means of escape.
- Pike River manager tells inquiry of frustrating delays
- The former general manager of Pike River Coal says there were frustrating delays in the search and rescue decision-making process following a fatal explosion at the West Coast mine.
- Pike inquiry to focus on search and rescue efforts
- The next phase of the Royal Commission into the Pike River Coal mine disaster will determine whether there was a window of opportunity for a rescue team to enter the mine.
- Survivor recalls moment explosion hits mine
- One of the two survivors of the Pike River Coal mine disaster has told of the moment an explosion ripped through the mine and how he thought he was dying.
- Pike River boss defends safety response
- The chief executive of Pike River Coal says the company always did what was necessary after safety incidents at the mine.
- Pike creditor encouraged by bidding interest
- Pike River Coal's largest creditor says the mine sale process could continue until next year.
- Labour pledges to reintroduce mine check inspectors
- The Labour Party says it will reintroduce check inspectors into most mines if it wins the November election.
- Mine checks nothing to do with Pike River - minister
- Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson is adamant that a move to boost mine inspection resources has nothing to do with the tragedy at Pike River.
- More mines safety inspectors following Pike River
- The Government has announced more safety inspectors for the mining and petroleum sectors following the Pike River disaster.
- Pike River sale process extended
- The receivers for Pike River Coal Ltd say the process of selling the West Coast mine is taking longer than originally anticipated.
- Govt under renewed pressure over mine safety
- The National-led Government has come under renewed pressure over its approach to mine safety before the Pike River disaster.
- Timing of Pike River inquiry third phase announced
- Royal Commission investigating the Pike River mine tragedy has announced dates for the final phase of its inquiry.
- Question raised over timing of deaths
- A lawyer for the families of the 29 men killed at Pike River say the Royal Commission is right to reopen the question of when they died.
- Potential overseas buyers visit Pike River mine
- Receivers for the Pike River Coal company have brought potential overseas buyers to visit the West Coast mine, with the possibility of more to come.
- Mine stabilisation due to finish in two weeks
- The stabilisation process at the Pike River mine is expected to be completed in two weeks.
- Families in no doubt about bodies in mine images
- A spokesperson for the families of the Pike River mine victims says many of them have no doubt that enhanced images of the mine's interior show two bodies.
- Families to see enhanced images from mine
- The families of the men who died in the Pike River mine are to be shown enhanced images from inside the mine on Saturday.
- Pike boss rejects claim resources went into coal face, not exit
- The first phase of the Royal Commission inquiring into the Pike River disaster has finished with the chief executive of the company rejecting a claim resources were put into developing a coal face instead of a second exit.
- Pike mine ladder 'almost impossible" to use in a fire
- The Royal Commission inquiry into the Pike River mine disaster has heard that a vertical ladder in the mine would have been almost impossible to use as an exit in a fire.
- Pike commission hears of delays, difficulties
- The Royal Commission inquiring into the Pike River mine disaster has been told of delays, budget blow-outs and technical difficulties at the coal mine leading up to the explosions last November in which 29 men died.
- Only one mines inspector for whole of NZ, inquiry told
- A health and safety inspector for the Department of Labour says it is not possible to fully service all mines, tunnels and quarries in New Zealand because of a lack of staff.
- Lawyer asks why recommendations not acted on
- A lawyer says it should not have taken two years for the Department of Labour to act on recommendations to improve safety measures in underground mines.
- Former Pike River chief executive to give evidence
- The former chief executive of the Pike River Coal company will this week appear before the Royal Commission inquiring into the deaths of 29 men at the West Coast mine.
- Recovery of miners' remains still some months away
- Work is continuing to stabilise the Pike River Mine but any recovery of the 29 miners killed in explosions there last year is still some months away.
- Survivor says mines in Australia safer than in NZ
- One of the two survivors of the Pike River mine explosion says he believes the mines in Australia, where he has taken up work, are much safer than those in New Zealand.
- Post-explosion call went to answer phone - mine survivor
- One of the two survivors of the Pike River mine explosion has confirmed the emergency number he called from inside the shaft went to an answer phone.
- Pike River company had planned second exit
- The Royal Commission inquiring into the Pike mine disaster has heard the Pike River coal company had applied to construct a second exit tunnel, two years before the explosion in which 29 men died.
- Pike hearing told open cast mine ruled out early
- The Royal Commission looking into the Pike River mine disaster has been told that the possibility of an open cast mine was ruled out early in its planning.
- Single access to mine 'madness' due to gas risk
- A former coal mines chief inspector says he was shocked to discover the Pike River mine would only have one access and told the company it was madness.
- Mine changes led to Pike tragedy, inquiry told
- A former chief inspector of coal mines says the Pike River mine tragedy had its origins in the abolition of the dedicated mine inspectorate at end of the 1990s.
- Mining boss backs strengthened inspectorate system
- The head of Solid Energy says he would support a significantly strengthened mine inspectorate regime.
- Energy boss accused of talking down Pike mine's value
- The lawyer representing Pike River Coal Ltd executives has accused the head of state-owned Solid Energy of talking down the value of the coal mine to improve his company's chances of buying it.
- Safety practices at Pike mine called into question
- Pike River Coal's safety practices have been called into question at the start of an inquiry into the mining disaster that killed 29 workers.
- Pike families confident Royal Commission will deliver truth
- Families of the men killed in the Pike River coal mine have had the logistics of a Royal Commission on the disaster outlined to them at a meeting.
- Commission compels people to co-operate with inquiry
- The Royal Commission into the Pike River Coal mine disaster has for the first time confirmed it has used its power to force people to co-operate with the inquiry.
- Contractors threaten boycott of Royal Commission
- A group of Pike River contractors has formally told the Royal Commission into the mine disaster that its members will not appear before it due to a lack of funding for legal representation.
- Pike mining permit subject to 'credible' recovery plan
- The Government says it will make the transfer of the permit for mining at Pike River to a new owner subject to a credible plan to recover the remains of 29 workers.
- Recovery team back in Pike River mine
- Mines Rescue teams expected to complete the installation of a temporary seal inside the Pike River mine by midnight on Thursday.
- Lawyers see progress on Pike River sale conditions
- Lawyers for the Pike River families say they are making good progress on having the recovery of bodies made a condition of the mine's sale.
- Temporary air lock at mine installed
- Construction of a temporary air lock has been completed at the Pike River coal mine on the West Coast.
- Pike River bidders not put off by recovery requirement
- The receivers for the Pike River mine say bidders have not been scared off by a demand they must have a plan to recover the remains of 29 workers.
- Pike River inquiry to begin with 12 witnesses
- The first phase of the Royal Commission investigating the Pike River mine disaster is due to start in Greymouth next week, with evidence from 12 witnesses.
- Families confident bodies can be recovered
- The families of the men killed in the Pike River mine says a significant improvement in the atmosphere inside the mine proves the bodies of the dead can be recovered.
- Not enough money to recover Pike bodies - receiver
- The receivers of Pike River Coal Ltd say they only have enough money to take recovery teams as far as the rockfall inside the mine - not far enough to recover bodies.
- Mine recovery team finds 'no great signs of explosion'
- The Pike River Mine manager says recovery teams have made their way through hundreds of metres of the mine.
- Manager says it's all go to enter Pike River mine
- The statutory mine manager for Pike River says final preparations have been completed for the planned entry of the mine on Tuesday morning.
- Final checks made before Pike River re-entry work begins
- 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.
- 'Big headway' made to stabilise Pike mine
- Safety experts have made what is being described as big headway in stabilising the shut-down Pike River mine.
- Pike contractors say truth needs to be told
- Contractors say the country has a right to know there were delays in responding to the first explosion at the Pike River mine.
- Government urged to move on mine safety
- The Government is being urged to move quickly to improve safety in underground coal mines before there is another fatal accident.
- 'Several parties' interested in buying mine
- The receiver for Pike River Coal says several interested companies are having talks now with regard to a possible purchase of the West Coast mine.
- Mine safety standards called to account
- The Minister of Labour has been forced to defend safety standards in the country's underground coal mines.
- Prime Minister stands by Pike River comments
- The Prime Minister is standing by his statement, reported in The Australian newspaper, that the way the Pike River mine was constructed would not have been legal in Australia.
- Carbon monoxide levels fall at Pike River mine
- Pike River Coal receiver John Fisk says falling gas levels mean work to re-enter the mine could begin as early as late June if authorities give approval.
- Pike River memorial sculpture chosen
- A memorial committee has chosen a sculpture to commemorate the men who died in the Pike River mine disaster.
- Carbon monoxide level at Pike River off scale
- The level of poisonous gas inside the Pike River mine has gone above the upper limit of monitoring equipment.
- Further delays to entering Pike River mine
- The gradual re-entry into the Pike River Coal mine has been further delayed, because gas levels remain unsafe.
- Miners won't work until recovery plan in place - EPMU
- The Engineering, Printing & Manufacturing Union says miners around the world will refuse to work at the Pike River coal mine until a plan is in place to recover the bodies of the men killed there.
- Carbon monoxide levels delay work to re-enter mine
- Work on a gradual re-entry of the Pike River mine on the West Coast has been put back by at least a week due to a rise in carbon monoxide levels.
- Warning recovery of miners could be months away
- The Mines Rescue Service believes it could be months before any work is done to retrieve bodies from the defunct Pike River Coal mine.
- PM has doubts over mine recovery effort
- Prime Minister John Key is expressing doubts about the viability of retrieving the bodies of 29 men who died in the Pike River mine disaster.
- Questions remain over Pike River recovery
- The receivers for Pike River Coal say any attempts to re-enter the West Coast mine are still some time away and it may not be possible to recover the bodies those who died there last year.
- Parties agree to staged re-entry of Pike River mine
- Key parties involved in the Pike River disaster, including the families of the 29 men who died, have agreed to undertake a staged re-entry into the West Coast mine.
- Company blamed in US mine disaster
- An investigation into an American coal mine disaster has found the company that owned it was responsible for fatal explosions.
- Rescuers say Pike River mine still not safe to enter
- Rescuers have turned down for now a request by families of the men who died in the Pike River Coal mine to carry out a reconnaissance in preparation for recovering the bodies.
- Pike River workers hire top lawyers
- Some former Pike River mine workers say they have hired top lawyers to represent them because they believe the company will try to blame them for the disaster.
- Mine families don't want revenge, says father
- The father of one of the men killed in the Pike River mine last year says the families' main focus is on recovering the men's bodies and no one is looking for revenge.
- Entry to Pike mine urged by lawyer
- The lawyer for the Pike River families says the possibility that two bodies might have been found reinforces the need to enter the mine.
- Images from Pike River mine shown to families
- The families of the men who died in the Pike River disaster have been shown images of what could be two bodies inside the mine.
- Growing anger at delays in recovery of bodies
- Family members of those killed in the Pike River coalmine disaster are growing angrier at delays in recovering the remains of the 29 men who died.
- Pike River receiver still wants to recover bodies
- The receiver of the Pike River Coal says the priority remains to recover the bodies of the men inside the West Coast mine.
- Solid Energy wants buy Pike River mine
- State-owned company Solid Energy wants to buy the Pike River Coal mine on the West Coast with a view to reopening it in the future.
- Pike River mine not yet ready to enter - receiver
- The receiver for Pike River Coal says it will be at least three weeks before the next step can be taken towards entering the mine where 29 mine workers and contractors died in November 2010.
- Man arrested near Pike River coal mine
- Police have arrested a man who was found on Pike River coal mine property by security staff.
- Pressure on to enter mine
- There is growing pressure for recovery teams to go into the Pike River coal mine following a statement that an image taken from a scanner could be that of a body.
- Royal Commission hearings delayed
- Royal Commission hearings on the Pike River mine disaster have been delayed by almost two months, until 11 July.
- Refund of mine recovery costs urged
- The families of the 29 men who died at Pike River says the mine company should repay the $11 million the Government has spent trying to recover the bodies.
- $11m bill for Pike River operation
- Police say no services will be cut because of the Pike River rescue and recovery operation, which has cost nearly $11 million to date.
- Government's contribution seen as 'stingy'
- Labour MP Damien O'Connor says the Government's contribution to a sports and event centre in memory of those who died at the Pike River mine is "stingy".
- Govt contributes $3.5m to mining memorial centre
- A $5 million events centre is to be built on the West Coast to commemorate the Pike River Coal tragedy and other victims of past mining accidents.
- More Pike River Coal staff to be made redundant
- One third of the 28 staff still employed by Pike River Coal will soon be out of jobs.
- Scan hoped to reveal state of Pike River mine
- A scanner is due to be lowered into a bore hole at the Pike River mine on Thursday, to assess conditions inside the mine in which 29 men were killed in explosions last November.
- Pike River receivers to continue efforts to sell mine
- The receivers of Pike River Coal say they will continue trying to sell the West Coast mine despite moves to put the company into liquidation.
- Receivers seek cheaper way of taking part in inquiry
- Receivers of Pike River Coal say they will go back to the Royal Commission to try and find a cheaper option for its participation in the mining disaster inquiry.
- Mine receivers ask Govt to help with legal costs
- The receivers of Pike River Coal have asked the Government for funding to enable them to provide evidence to an inquiry into the mine disaster.
- Families confident Pike River inquiry will reveal truth
- The families of the Pike River coal workers who died in explosions at the mine last November say they are confident the Royal Commission will uncover the truth about the cause of the tragedy.
- Pike River legal bill claims a ploy - union
- The union representing mine workers says a poverty plea by the receivers for Pike River Coal was a ploy designed to win a handout.
- Pike River commissioner says inquiry not a trial
- The head of the Royal Commission into the tragedy at the Pike River mine on the West Coast has stressed the inquiry is not a trial.
- Commission would consider compelling witnesses
- The Royal Commission into the Pike River coal disaster is reiterating it would consider compelling witnesses to appear at its inquiry into the disaster if it had to, but does not wish to force people to appear.
- Contractors want legal representation at Pike River inquiry
- A group of contractors who worked at the Pike River Coal mine say they are reluctant to appear before a Royal Commission without legal representation, as it might incriminate them in other investigations.
- Department seeks more time over mine disaster
- The Department of Labour wants more time to decide whether to lay charges over the Pike River mine explosions that killed 29 men in November last year.
- Fifth robot fails inside Pike River mine
- A fifth robot has failed inside the Pike River Coal mine.
- Receivers urged to enter Pike mine
- Greymouth Mayor Tony Kokshoorn is urging the receivers of the Pike River Coal mine to enter it or give the recovery operation to someone else.
- Mine disaster hearings to be held in Greymouth
- The Royal Commission into the Pike River mine disaster has announced it will hold all its hearings in Greymouth.
- Pike families frustrated by delays
- A spokesperson for the Pike River mine workers says he is fed up with continued delays in attempts to recover the remains of the 29 men killed last year.
- Solid Energy wants to buy Pike River mine
- State-owned coal mining company Solid Energy says it is the only company in the world capable of successfully running the Pike River Coal mine.
- Mine families say more time needed for inquiry
- The families of the 29 men killed in the Pike River mine explosions say 15 weeks is not a long enough to carry out a comprehensive Royal Commission.
- Prince William arriving on Thursday
- Prince William arrives in New Zealand on Thursday to meet the Christchurch and Greymouth communities hit by tragedy in the past six months.
- Australian mining giants 'unlikely' to buy Pike River
- A mining analyst says Australian mining giants would have no real interest in buying the Pike River mine, meaning New Zealand state-owned miner Solid Energy could be the frontrunner to take control.
- Mine families 'humbled' to hear of prince's visit
- A spokesperson for the families of those who died in the Pike River mine, Bernie Monk, says they are humbled by the news that Prince William will visit them in Greymouth.
- Pike River receivers putting mine up for sale
- The receivers of the Pike River coal company intend to start trying to sell the mine next week, now that they have control of the site where explosions killed 29 men in November.
- Pike mining could resume without recovery
- The receivers of Pike River Coal Ltd have confirmed the company could resume mining without recovering the remains of the men killed there.
- Parties say Govt must honour Pike River pledge
- Opposition parties are calling on the Government to deliver on its promise of an economic stimulus package for the West Coast to help it recover from the Pike River mine disaster.
- Pike River families don't want police to pull out
- The families of the 29 men who died in the Pike River mine last year say they do not want police to ever hand over control to the mine company's receivers.
- No stimulus package for West Coast after all
- Despite promising a stimulus package to the West Coast to help it recover from the Pike River mine disaster, in which 29 men died, the Government has now ruled the idea out.
- Receiver takes over control of Pike River mine
- Pike Rive Coal's receiver has taken over control of the mine from police.
- Robot with camera should enter Pike mine next week
- A robot that could find clues to what caused the deadly explosions at the Pike River mine is expected to enter the site next week.
- Pike River families to each receive at least $190,000
- Families of workers killed at the Pike River mine disaster on the West Cost are to receive at least $190,000, a trust has decided.
- Plenty of interest in buying Pike River mine
- More than 10 companies have expressed an interest in buying the Pike River mine on the West Coast if it can be made operable again.
- Report confirms Pike River creditors unlikely to be paid
- The receivers of Pike River Coal have confirmed they are unlikely to have any money to pay unsecured creditors of the company.
- Union seeks government funding for Pike River inquiry
- A union is calling on the Government to help pay for its legal representation in the Pike River mining disaster inquiry.
- Inquiry assistance welcomed by Pike contractors
- Former Pike River Coal contractors have welcomed a decision by the Government to pay the legal costs of those participating in a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the disaster.
- Financial assistance for Pike River workers at inquiry
- The Government has decided financial assistance for legal costs will be provided for workers who have a role to play at an inquiry into the Pike River mine disaster.
- Pike River submissions close at end of week
- Submissions of interest to take part in the Royal Commission into the Pike River mining disaster close on Friday.
- Still no date for Pike mine handover to receivers
- A hand-over date of the recovery operation at the Pike River coal mine to receivers, is still not known.
- Preliminary hearing on mine disaster set for March
- A Royal Commission into the Pike River Coal mine disaster on the West Coast will meet for a preliminary hearing in March.
- Open cast mine urged at Pike River
- Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn is pushing for an open cast mine to extract coal from around the Pike River mine.
- Anger over property investment by West Coast trust
- Contractors owed money by Pike River Coal are angry at reports that Development West Coast is considering buying a $30 million investment property after refusing to bail them out.
- Warriors charity match for miners' families
- The Warriors Rugby League team are on the West Coast to help the families of the 29 Pike River Coal miners killed in explosions in November.
- Mine handover due next week
- Police hope to hand over the Pike River coal mine to the company's receivers next week.
- Businesses yet to be paid for Pike River work
- Contractors and suppliers to the Pike River Coal mine on the West Coast say their businesses are in jeopardy.
- Pike River Royal Commission calls for evidence
- The Royal Commission on the Pike River coal mine disaster is calling for applications from those who want to give evidence.
- Memorial in Scotland for Pike River mine worker
- The family of a Scottish man killed in the Pike River Coal mine disaster will hold a memorial service in the town of St Andrew's on Friday.
- No false hopes given to Pike men's families - Whittall
- Pike River Coal chief executive Peter Whittall says the families of the 29 workers killed at the West Coast mine were not given false hope about the chances of survival.
- First explosion at Pike River mine fatal, coroner rules
- The Chief Coroner has ruled 29 Pike River Coal workers died during or immediately after the first explosion at the West Coast mine last November.
- Pike River losses have impact on NZ Oil and Gas
- The closure of the Pike River Coal mine following the disaster that claimed 29 lives will force New Zealand Oil and Gas to report a "significant" half-year loss.
- New acess tunnel idea not yet explored - receiver
- The receiver of the Pike River coal mine says an idea to tunnel a new access point into the mine has not yet been explored.
- Limited Pike River details given to families
- Police have given expert reports about the Pike River Coal mine disaster to the families' lawyers on condition that the files themselves are not released directly to the families.
- Samoa gives money to Pike River disaster fund
- The government of Samoa has donated tens of thousands of dollars to the Pike River Coal mine and Australian flood disaster funds.
- Efforts to stabilise Pike River mine to continue
- Receivers for the Pike River Coal mine are to make further attempts to stabilise its atmosphere, but are not committing themselves to recovering the remains of the 29 workers inside.
- Tenor to perform at concert in aid of Pike River families
- A special concert will be held on Saturday night in Greymouth's Holy Trinity Church for the families of the men who perished in the Pike River mine.
- Mine families happy at receivers' course of action
- Lawyers for the families of the Pike River Coal workers are confident that the receivers have enough money to continue efforts to stabilise the West Coast mine.
- Pike River contractors plead for financial help
- The Pike River Contractors and Suppliers Group is calling for financial assistance, saying more than 80 of them are owed about $8 million and have had no pay since October.
- Pike River GAG unit to be handed back to owners
- The modified jet engine being used to stabilise the atmosphere in the Pike River Mine will be returned to Australia before the end of this month.
- Mine families appeal to Police Commissioner
- The families of the men who died in the Pike River mine have written to the Police Commissioner asking him to continue efforts to retrieve their bodies.
- Families shocked Pike River mine to be sealed
- Families of the men who died in the Pike River Coal disaster say they are shocked by the Prime Minister's statement that the mine is to be closed without retrieving their loved ones' remains.
- Receivers given deadline on Pike River mine future
- Receivers of Pike River Coal say they can give no guarantee of meeting a Government deadline to reveal their intentions for the mine and it is not their responsibility to be involved in a recovery operation.
- Union claims Pike recovery operation stopped by costs
- The EPMU says the Government and police were unrealistic about how difficult it would be recover the bodies at the Pike River Coal mine and have ended the operation for financial reasons.
- Money not reason for end to recovery effort - minister
- Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee says the recovery operation at the Pike River Coal mine is not being stopped for financial reasons.
- Police to end recovery efforts at Pike River mine
- Police say there is little hope of recovering workers killed at the Pike River Coal mine and they are ending the operation.
- Pike River families conducting own investigation
- The families of the 29 men who died in the Pike River mine explosions are carrying out their own investigation to try to establish what sparked the tragedy.
- More delays at Pike River mine
- Attempts to seal cracks in the shaft of the Pike River Mine, so it would be safer to enter, have been delayed again.
- No robots in Pike River mine - police
- Police say they have no imminent plans to put robots into the Pike River coal mine.
- Chinese coal companies reportedly interested in West Coast
- Chinese coal companies reportedly want to invest on the West Coast to help it recover from the Pike River disaster.
- Gas levels force evacuation of staff at Pike River Mine
- Staff working to seal the shaft of the Pike River Mine were evacuated from the site on Sunday, due to dangerously high gas levels.
- Most of Pike River inquiry in Greymouth - judge
- The High Court judge chairing the Royal Commission into the Pike River Coal disaster says most of the inquiry will take place in Greymouth.
- Sealing shaft 'critical' to making mine safe
- Police say a critical next step in making the Pike River Coal mine safe to re-enter will be attempted at the weekend.
- Pike River miners find jobs in Australia
- More than 50 workers made redundant from Pike River Coal have found jobs in Australian mines.
- Poor weather stops drilling at mine
- Poor weather is hampering work at the Pike River Coal mine on the West Coast.
- Pike mine temperatures down but still no go
- Temperatures inside the Pike River coal mine are slowly dropping but levels of explosive gas are still too high for recovery teams to enter.
- Gases in West Coast mine still unstable
- Temperatures and gas levels in the Pike River Coal mine on the West Coat are still fluctuating, police say.
- Pike River families visit mine on Christmas Day
- Forty members of the families of the 29 men killed in the Pike River mine disaster in November were taken to the mine on Christmas Day morning to attend a short remembrance service there.
- Families will be taken up to mine on Christmas Day
- Up to 60 family members of those killed at Pike River will be taken up to the mine for Christmas - closer to their missing men than many will have been before.
- Little chance other Pike mine contractors will be paid
- Contractors owed money for work they did at the mine have been told by Pike River Coal's receivers that there's little chance they will be paid.
- Payment for mine contractors whose employees died
- Pike River Coal's receiver say it will make a payment to contractors who lost workers in the mine explosion.
- Date set for Pike River inquest
- An inquest into the deaths of 29 men at the Pike River coalmine will begin on 27 January at Greymouth District Court.
- Pike River receivers recovery plan complete today
- The receivers for Pike River Coal have drawn up a plan to recover the remains of the 29 men who died in the mine.
- Pike men's families could get money by Christmas
- The Pike River Miners' Relief Fund Trust is to make immediate payments totalling $400,000 to the families of the men killed in the mine.
- Greymouth law firm to represent families
- The families of the men killed in the Pike River mine have chosen a Greymouth law firm to represent them at the royal commission of inquiry.
- Plans to reopen Reefton mine welcomed
- The main mineworkers' union says plans to reopen a West Coast mine will be a much-needed boost to the region.
- Mine closure would be accepted as last resort
- West Coast leaders say they would accept the sealing of the Pike River coal mine if all options for reopening it fail.
- Weather hampers Pike River work
- Work at the Pike River mine is being hampered by torrential rain and high winds on Tuesday.
- Pike mine might have to be sealed - police
- Machines being used to make the Pike River coal mine safe are failing to neutralise the atmosphere inside. Police say there is a real chance the mine might have to be sealed.
- Surge in domestic violence expected on West Coast
- Women's Refuge is expecting a surge in domestic violence on the West Coast early next year because of the large number of jobs lost at the Pike River mine.
- Site temporarily evacuated when gas levels rise
- Workers at the Pike River mine were forced to evacuate the hillside early on Monday, because gas levels rose sharply when the GAG machine was shut down for repairs and maintenance.
- Distribution decision pending on mine donations
- The committee overseeing a trust for the families of the 29 men killed in the Pike River coal mine, says it will decide on Tuesday how to distribute some of the donations.
- New mine recovery plan being prepared
- A new plan to recover the bodies of the 29 men in the Pike River coal mine is being prepared.
- Nitrogen machine working well at Pike River mine
- Police say a machine pumping nitrogen gas into the Pike River coal mine, has been operating all night and is working well.
- New mine pump could be going all summer
- Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn says a nitrogen pumping machine now working at the Pike River coal mine, could be in operation for for the rest of summer.
- Police to retain control of Pike River mine
- The Government says the police will not leave the recovery operation at the Pike River coal mine until it is safe and stable inside.
- Nitrogen machine on way to Pike River mine
- The mammoth task is underway of moving an Australian nitrogen machine to the Pike River Coal mine site where it will be used to help stabilize the mine's atmosphere.
- Job losses another setback for Greymouth
- The Grey District mayor says the timing of further job losses in the region could not be worse.
- Government agency may take over mine recovery
- The recovery operation at the Pike River Coal mine may eventually be handed from police to another Government department, the head of the police operation says.
- Donated food to be distributed to Pike River families
- A group of former Pike River Coal mine workers met on Friday to work out how to distribute donated funds and food to the families of sacked workers in Greymouth.
- Australian experts to audit coal mines
- Two Australian mining experts are being brought in to undertake an audit of the country's four underground coal mines that remain in operation.
- Recovery operation likely to cost $10m by year end
- The receiver for Pike River Coal says the operation to recover the bodies of 29 men from the mine has cost up to $5 million so far and could reach $10 million by Christmas.
- Mine families to visit site on Christmas Day
- Some families of those who were killed in the Pike River Coal mine will visit the site on Christmas Day.
- Money pledged to Pike River families safe, says trustee
- The founding trustee of the Pike River Miners Relief Fund says money given by the coal mining company is safe, and it will not to the receivers.
- Mine insurance payout could take 12 months
- The receiver for Pike River Coal says it could take a year for the company's insurance claim to be paid out.
- Job options explored for mine workers
- The Government and West Coast leaders are to explore options for jobs in the region in the wake of the Pike River Coal mine disaster.
- Receivers don't want police to give up control of mine
- The receivers of Pike River Coal Ltd say they do not want police to give up control of the mine site, because the company does not have the money to continue the recovery operation.
- ACC, Super Fund lose money in coal firm collapse
- Some $27 million of public money has been lost with the collapse of Pike River Coal.
- Police still meeting mine recovery costs
- Police say they are continuing to meet the costs of recovery efforts at the Pike River Coal mine as the handover phase with receivers and other agencies continues.
- Union wants health and safety expert on mine inquiry
- The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union says it may lobby the Government to put an experienced health and safety expert on the panel of the Royal Commission into the Pike River tragedy.
- Insurance policy now mine company's main asset
- The receiver of Pike River Coal says the company's main asset is now its insurance policy, and there's still no word on when, or if, it will be paid out.
- Pike River workers made redundant
- Miners employed at Pike River Coal believe they will get only half the payments initially promised to them by the company.
- Who will pay for mine recovery operation unclear
- It is unclear who will pay for the recovery operation at a New Zealand mine where 29 workers died after a series of explosions.
- Families want voice in mine disaster investigations
- The families of the 29 men killed in the Pike River Coal mine have formed a group to ensure they have a voice in all aspects of the recovery and the inquiries into the disaster.
- Commissioners chosen for inquiry into mine disaster
- Prime Minister John Key has named the two commissioners who will sit on the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Pike River Coal mine disaster.
- Pike River Coal Ltd in receivership
- The company at the centre of the West Coast mining tragedy where 29 men died has been placed in receivership.
- Police operation being scaled down
- The number of police officers working on the Pike River coal mine operation is being scaled down.
- Shearers raise $12,000 for Pike River families
- Some of the country's fastest shearers raised more than $12,000 for families of the Pike River coal mine disaster at the weekend.
- Pike River mine shaft capped
- The ventilation shaft at the Pike River coal mine has been capped, just over three weeks since the first explosion there.
- Additional mine equipment located in Queensland
- Police are negotiating with the Royal Australian Air Force to bring a piece of equipment to New Zealand from Queensland to improve safety conditions at the Pike River coal mine.
- Attempts to cap mine vent given up for day
- Police say attempts to cap the ventilation shaft at the Pike River mine on Saturday have been unsuccessful and the operation will resume on Sunday.
- Memorial fund launched with $100,000
- Donations have started coming in to a fund set up to establish and maintain a permanent memorial to the Pike River mine workers.
- Redundancy payments due for Pike River miners
- Pike River Coal says workers who lose their jobs at its West Coast mine, will receive redundancy payments.
- Workers told of significant cuts at Pike River mine
- Workers at a New Zealand coal mine in which 29 men were killed have been told there will be significant job cuts.
- Australian generator sought to help cool mine
- Police say they will fly a nitrogen generator from Australia to cool a New Zealand mine and help prevent further explosions.
- Mine still too hot to recover bodies
- Police say any attempt to recover the bodies of the Pike River Coal miners is a long way off, with temperatures in the New Zealand mine reaching about 600 degrees celsius.
- Chief Coroner meets mine families
- Police say they have now finished collecting information on those who died in the Pike River Coal mine that will help identify the bodies.
- Mine ventilation shaft still too unsafe to cap
- A ventilation shaft at the Pike River Coal mine on the West Coast remains uncapped after toxic gases hampered efforts to seal the mine on Wednesday.
- Pike River mine workforce to be reduced
- The head of Pike River Coal says the workforce at its mine will have to be reduced, at least temporarily, when the company is re-establishing the operation.
- Appeal for continued support of mine families
- Social agencies helping families who have lost relatives in the Pike River mine disaster are asking people to keep up the messages of support, as the media spotlight on the tragedy lessons.
- Flames disappear from Pike River mine vent
- Police say progress is being made extinguishing the fire in the Pike River Coal mine where 29 men died last month.
- Christchurch remembers lost miners
- Hundreds gathered in Christchurch on Monday to remember the 29 miners killed in the Pike River disaster.
- Investigation will find cause of blast, says company
- Pike River Coal chairman John Dow says safety is a cornerstone of everything the company does, and while people have raised some concerns, they also recognise that a Royal Commission will find out what caused the blasts.
- Work begins to extinguish fire in mine's vent shaft
- An operation has begun to extinguish a fire coming from the vent shaft of the Pike River Mine and cool the concrete pad that surrounds it.
- Festive cheer brightens town in mourning
- Thousands of people in Greymouth still mourning the loss of the 29 Pike River coal mine workers put their grief aside to celebrate the festive season on Saturday.
- Pike River job a tough one - mining expert
- The Australian mining expert involved in the recovery work at the Pike River coal mine, says the West Coast mine is the most challenging he has encountered.
- 'Gag' machine continues
- A converted jet engine being used to smother the fire in the Pike River coal mine, is still pumping carbon dioxide into the mine to cool it and neutralise the gases inside.
- Labour Dept staying out of mine dispute
- The Department of Labour says it won't settle a conflict between the miners union and Pike River Coal over interviews in an investigation into the disaster at the mine.
- Union objects to Pike lawyers' presence
- Lawyers acting for Pike River Coal have been attempting to sit in on police and Department of Labour interviews as part of the investigation into the mining disaster, says the miners' union.
- Efforts to extinguish Pike River fire continue
- The effort to put out the fire burning in the Pike River Coal mine will continue throughout Friday night as more cooling gases are pumped into the tunnel.
- Extra police called to work on mine investigation
- Police officers from outside Greymouth have been called to the West Coast to help with the police investigation into the Pike River coal mine explosion.
- Remembrance service held for mine workers
- Twenty-nine workers killed at the Pike River Coal mine have been honoured at a remembrance service on New Zealand's West Coast.
- Pike River recovery teams making 'good progress'
- Recovery teams are making good progress in the effort to stabilise the Pike River Coal mine where the bodies of 29 workers remain, police say.
- Mine boss pays tribute to 'our friends'
- Pike River Coal chief executive Peter Whittall has paid tribute to 29 workers who died in an explosion at the West Coast mine.
- Pike River chairman hopes business still feasible
- Pike River Coal chairman John Dow says it's still feasible to recover the business, but he does not know how long it will take or how much it will cost.
- Team worked all night at Pike River
- The unit working at making the Pike River coal mine safe to retrieve the bodies of the 29 men who died there, was operating through the night.
- Tauranga holds combined service for mine workers
- Tauranga has held its own remembrance and memorial service for the 29 victims of the Pike River Coal mine disaster.
- Napier stops to remember mine disaster victims
- There was an eerie silence in parts of Napier just before 2pm on Thursday, as people stopped to observe a two-minute silence for the workers killed in the Pike River Coal mine disaster.
- Hundreds in Nelson sign condolence book
- Hundreds of people in Nelson have signed condolences books and lit candles to remember those who died in the Pike River Coal mine disaster.
- Cathedral bells ring out for Pike River workers
- Christchurch's normally bustling Cathedral Square was silent on Thursday as people paid their respects to workers killed in explosions at the Pike River Coal mine.
- Dunedin to hold service on Friday
- Dunedin is to hold a memorial service at the Cathedral on Friday for the 29 workers who died in the Pike River Coal mine disaster.
- Other mines cease operations as mark of respect
- Mines throughout New Zealand stopped operations at 2pm on Thursday as a mark of respect to the 29 men who died at the Pike River Coal mine.
- Mine recovery workers hope to begin safety measure
- New Zealand recovery workers at the Pike River Coal mine are still hopeful of starting a machine overnight on Wednesday designed to make the mine safe to enter.
- West Coast prepares for mine disaster memorial
- Hundreds of people have begun arriving on the West Coast from throughout New Zealand for a memorial service for the workers who died in the Pike River Coal mine disaster.
- Businesses lose work in mine shutdown
- A West Coast engineering firm has lost about a third of its business as Pike River Coal suspends major contracts, in the latest fallout from the disaster in which 29 workers were killed.
- Welsh rugby union pays tribute to mine workers
- A plaque from the Welsh Rugby Union to the people of the West Coast will be displayed at the remembrance service for 29 workers who died in the Pike River Coal mine disaster.
- Hydro scheme project won't fill Pike River job gap
- Electricity company Trustpower says some Pike River Coal mine workers can probably be employed on a new hydro power project on the West Coast, though the scheme could be 18 months from getting underway.
- Two minutes silence requested for miners
- New Zealand is being asked to observe two minutes of silence at 2pm when a memorial service begins for the 29 men inside the Pike River coal mine.
- Efforts continue to contain fire at West Coast mine
- Recovery experts are trying to put out a coal fire and de-gas the New Zealand mine where the bodies of 29 men still lie.
- Families to have legal aid for mine inquiry - PM
- Prime Minister John Key says the families of those killed in the Pike River disaster will have access to legal aid, so they can be represented at the Royal Commission.
- All mine rescue applications approved, says DoC
- The Department of Conservation says it has approved all drilling programme requests it has received from Pike River Coal.
- Pike River Coal suspends contracts
- Pike River Coal has begun suspending major contracts and contract workers as work continues to save its burning mine on the West Coast.
- More flights to West Coast for ceremony
- Air New Zealand has put on more flights to the West Coast for people wanting to attend a remembrance ceremony for the men who lost their lives in the Pike River Coal mine.
- International expert to conduct safety audit of mines
- The Department of Labour is contracting an international mining expert to investigate the safety of all underground coal mines in New Zealand, Prime Minister John Key says.
- Royal Commission to investigate Pike River disaster
- The Government has agreed to establish a Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal mine tragedy to be chaired by Justice Graham Panckhurst.
- Families shown video of flames coming from mine
- Families of workers killed at the Pike River Coal mine have been shown a video with flames and debris shooting from openings in the mine.
- Mine inquiry will be extensive, says lawyer
- A lawyer involved in the inquiry into the Cave Creek tragedy says the establishment of a Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal mine would show families of the 29 workers that the disaster is being taken seriously.
- Mine contractors discuss future of jobs
- Contractors at the Pike River mine are meeting company managers this week to discuss the future of their jobs.
- Greymouth's schools and shops to close for service
- Shops, banks and schools in Greymouth will close for at least half a day as the town remembers the Pike River coal miners on Thursday.
- PM wants Royal Commission of Inquiry into disaster
- The Prime Minister wants a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate the Pike River tragedy saying the future of underground coal mining in New Zealand rests on it.
- Fourth blast causes coal fire at Pike River mine
- Hopes of retrieving the bodies of 29 workers at the Pike River coal mine have been dealt another blow with the announcement that an explosion on Sunday has started a coal fire in the mine.
- Collection for NZ miners' families at Welsh Test
- The All Blacks' management say it could be several days before it's known how much money was raised for the families of the Pike River 29 at the rugby Test against Wales.
- Church services remember the 29 miners
- Churches in Greymouth and around the country have held services featuring special memorial aspects for the miners.
- $100 million insurance held by mine company
- Pike River Coal has revealed it has $100 million in two policies covering business interruption insurance.
- Coking-coal supply chain certain to be affected
- The Shippers' Council says the Pike River disaster will have an impact on those who transport the company's coking coal to market.
- How they'll be buried is up to the families
- The Grey District Mayor says no decision has been made on how the 29 miners will be laid to rest once their bodies are recovered.
- Jet engine being targeted at mine's toxic gas
- A jet engine capable of shifting toxic gases in the Pike River coal mine could be up and running soon.
- Mine visit will help families move forward, says mayor
- Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn says Saturday's visit to the Pike River coal mine by the families of the 29 men who died there, will help them begin to slowly move forward.
- Record ACC claim expected from mine disaster
- The Pike River mine disaster is expected to lead to the biggest workplace claim in the history of the Accident Compensation Corporation.
- Mist prevents transport of gas samples from mine
- Heavy mist is preventing gas samples from the Pike River coal mine from being flown to a team for analysis.
- Assessment continues on ways to get into mine
- Work to find a way of recovering the bodies of the 29 men at the Pike River coal mine is continuing, despite a third explosion on Friday.
- Third explosion at mine
- A third explosion has occurred at the Pike River Coal mine near Greymouth.
- Footage shows extent of mine damage from second blast
- Newly released video footage from inside the Pike River mine has revealed the extensive damage from the second blast on Wednesday, which extinguished all hope for the 29 trapped miners.
- Making mine safe can't be rushed
- A mine safety consultant warns the process of making the Pike River coal mine safe cannot be rushed.
- Mining key economic driver on West Coast - chamber
- The Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce says mining is a key economic driver on the West Coast and it hopes the Pike River coal mine will continue to be part of that.
- Welsh rugby fans to do their bit to help
- The Welsh Rugby Union says the Pike River tragedy has touched a nerve with everyone in Wales. A collection for Greymouth will be held when the All Blacks play Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.
- Not all accidents the same - mining expert
- The New Zealand head of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy says people should not lump all coal-mining accidents into one basket, as answers are sought about what went wrong at the Pike River mine.
- Tragedy raises doubt about safety of mining - Anderton
- Progressive Party leader Jim Anderton says the Pike River mine tragedy raises questions about whether mining is safe enough to continue in this country.
- Body delays may slow recovery of families
- Australian trauma expert Professor Beverley Raphael says delaying the return of the bodies from the Pike River coal mine may delay the families' recovery and draw out the grief process.
- Assurance of help for mining families by minister
- Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is assuring families affected by the Pike River mine tragedy that they will get immediate help if they need it.
- Tribute paid to late councillor
- Grey District Council member Milton Osborne, who was killed in the Pike River mine disaster, has been described as a man worth his weight in gold. His colleagues stood for a minute's silence.
- Families wait to learn when bodies can be recovered
- The families of the 29 men who died in the Pike River Coal mine disaster are waiting to know when their men can be found and brought home.
- Mining employees face uncertain future
- The union representing many miners says workers are still reeling after Wednesday's second, devastating blast and some do not want to go underground again.
- Relief fund already collects $1.1 million
- More than $1 million has already been contributed to a fund to help families of the dead miners.
- Government's one-stop shop for help
- Greymouth's Work and Income office will be the Government's one-stop shop for families who need help after the mine tragedy.
- Fellow miners suspend work in show of respect
- Two of New Zealand's big underground coal mines have suspended operations as a sign of respect.
- Third robot to be put into action
- Police are expecting to use a third camera-equipped robot soon to enter the Pike River Coal mine to gather information.
- Prayers offered for miners throughout country
- People have been flowing into cathedrals and churches around the country to pray, light candles and leave condolences in memory of the 29 Pike River miners.
- Parliament suspends business to pay tribute to miners
- Parliament suspended its usual business on Thursday afternoon so MPs could pay tribute to the men killed in the Pike River Coal mine.
- Key meets families in Greymouth
- Prime Minister John Key has met the families of the 29 miners who died in the Pike River coal mine explosion.
- Names of mine workers released
- Police have officially released the names of the 29 Pike River Coal mine workers.
- Short term funding for Pike River
- Beleaguered miner Pike River Coal has received $12 million from its cornerstone shareholder, New Zealand Oil & Gas.
- All Blacks to wear armbands to mark tragedy
- The All Blacks will wear white armbands in the Test against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday to mark the Pike River mining tragedy.
- Clinton sends condolence message
- United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has sent a message of condolence over the loss of the miners.
- Father of miner frustrated with handling of disaster
- The father of one of the youngest Pike River mine victims says the disaster was handled the wrong way.
- Police chief rejects criticism
- Police Assistant Commissioner Grant Nicholls says criticism of Superintendent Gary Knowles, the officer in charge of the Pike River Coal mine operation, has been hard for him.
- Mine fire could take some time to extinguish
- An Australian mining expert warns it could take some time to put out the fire burning in the Pike River Coal mine.
- Queen 'deeply saddened' by tragedy
- The Queen is deeply saddened by the Pike River mine tragedy.
- Condolences from Australia
- Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has extended the nation's condolences to the families of the Pike River miners. Flags will be at half mast on government agencies in NSW.
- Britain expresses sadness at loss
- The British government says it is saddened by the loss of life at the Pike River Coal mine. Two of the miners were British citizens.
- Everything possible done, says Key
- Prime Minister John Key says he can assure the families of the men who died in the Pike River Coal mine that everything that could have been done to save them was done.
- Inquiries get under way
- Investigations are under way to discover what went wrong at the Pike River Coal mine.
- Extra support teams in Greymouth
- Extra Red Cross personnel are expected in Greymouth on Thursday to bolster support services for those affected by the Pike River mine disaster.
- Second explosion ends all hope for miners
- A second explosion at the Pike River Coal mine has extinguished hope that the men trapped inside are still alive.
- Decision not to attempt rescue believed the right one
- An Australian mining expert has backed the decision of police not to initiate a rescue attempt at the Pike River Coal mine, in the wake of Wednesday's explosion.
- Challenges ahead for recovery of bodies
- An Australian mining safety expert says there will be difficulties ahead as authorities go about retrieving bodies from the Pike River Coal mine.
- Country in mourning, says Key
- Prime Minister John Key says the country is in mourning after the Pike River Coal mine disaster.
- Government rejects call to bring back mine inspectors
- The Government has rejected calls to reinstate a system of on-site mine safety inspectors.
- Pike River mine - timeline of a tragedy
- FRIDAY 19 November A methane gas explosion cut power and blew out ventilation fans at Pike River Coal's mine at Atarau near Greymouth at about 3.45pm. Twenty-nine miners and contractors...
- Coal seam fire could burn for decades
- Experts says fluctuating gas levels in the Pike River Coal mine indicate there is a fire that could burn for decades.
- Labour minister promises comprehensive safety probe
- Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson says all aspects of safety at the Pike River Coal mine will be investigated.
- Greymouth in shock as NZ grieves
- New Zealand is grieving and Greymouth is a community in shock following the Pike River mine disaster. Flags are flying at half-mast nationwide on Thursday.
- Victim Support brings in more staff
- Victim Support is bringing in extra staff to relieve those working with the families of the Pike River miners.
- Journalist's question disgraceful, says Collins
- Police Minister Judith Collins has describing as disgraceful an Australian journalist's question that referred to the officer in charge of the rescue operation at the Pike River Coal mine as a "local country cop".
- Papers mark 'Darkest Hour'
- The tragedy at Pike River dominates the front pages of all the morning papers. 'Our Darkest Hour' says Grey District Mayor Tony Kookshorn.
- Bore hole reaches mine
- Police in Greymouth say the first bore hole broke through at the Pike River coal mine at 7am on Wednesday.
- Restarted robot 1km into mine
- Rescuers have restarted a robot at the Pike River Coal mine and it has now travelled 1km.
- Rescue robots not effective - experts
- Robots are not yet effective for mine rescues and using one a West Coast mine where 29 men are trapped is a long shot, United States experts say.
- Union wants safety check inspectors reintroduced
- The union representing mine workers, the EPMU, is calling for the reintroduction of safety check inspectors at mine sites.
- Likelihood of successful rescue 'diminishing'
- The police officer in charge of the operation at the Pike River Coal mine where 29 miners have been trapped for five days says the likelihood of a successful rescue is diminishing.
- 'Desperate' families not giving up hope
- Greymouth Mayor Tony Kokshoorn says families of the trapped mine workers are getting desperate and frustrated, but are not giving up hope.
- Work under way on third mine robot
- A third, more sophisticated robot is being readied to be sent into the Pike River Coal mine.
- Key assured company had no warning
- New Zealand's Prime Minister says he has been assured by Pike River Coal that it had no warning of an explosion at its West Coast mine on Friday.
- Pike River boss denies cost-cutting
- Pike River Coal chairman John Dow has denied any suggestion that financial problems led to cutting corners at the West Cost mine.
- MPs send message of support to miners' families
- MPs have delivered a message of support to the families of the trapped miners.
- Combustion risk forced Spring Creek evacuation
- Another West Coast coal mine was evacuated a week before the Pike River Coal explosion because of the risk of spontaneous combustion.
- Candles lit at service for trapped workers
- Candles for each of the miners trapped in the Pike River Coal mine were lit at a special church service in Greymouth on Monday night.
- PM promises inquiry
- Prime Minister John Key says there will be an inquiry into the events at the Pike River Coal mine once the rescue operation has been completed.
- Laser camera may soon reveal mine pictures
- A laser camera inserted into a bore hole at the Pike River coal mine could soon reveal the first images of the spot where miners are thought to be trapped.
- Rescuers prepare for possible loss of life
- The police officer heading the rescue effort for 29 men trapped in the Pike River Coal mine has said for the first time that rescuers are preparing for the possible loss of life.
- Defence, Australian miners lend specialist equipment
- The Defence Force and mining companies in Australia are lending specialised equipment for use by the search and rescue operation at the Pike River mine.
- Safety gear expensive but vital, says expert
- A mining safety expert says some equipment being flown in from Australia to Pike River rescuers is expensive but should become available in New Zealand.
- Nightly vigil at church for trapped workers
- An Anglican minister on the West Coast says hope still remains in the hearts of the family of the 29 trapped workers at a mine, despite time passing with no results.
- Gas levels still too volatile to enter mine
- Gas levels are still too volatile for rescuers to enter the New Zealand mine where 29 men are trapped following an explosion two days ago.
- Clinton sends message of support for families
- US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the prayers of Americans are with trapped workers inside a New Zealand mine, and their families.
- Telecom boosts cellphone coverage around Greymouth
- Telecom is moving to temporarily boost cellphone coverage in and around Greymouth, following problems with mobile calls in the area.
- Risk of another methane explosion at mine
- The Pike River Coal mine on the West Coast has experienced a series of delays, equipment failures and a rock collapse in the ventilation shaft during its two-year life.
- Church leader warns locals over mining accident
- A Greymouth church minister has warned West Coast people that the Pike River Coal mine emergency may not turn out for the best.
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