Two of New Zealand's big underground coal mines have suspended operations as a sign of respect.
Solid Energy, which owns Spring Creek Mine near Greymouth, and Huntly East Mine in Waikato say everyone who works in the mines is devastated by the Pike River tragedy.
In Huntly, at the country's biggest underground mine, the workforce of more than 200 miners did not work on Thursday in a show of solidarity.
Former general manager of Mine Rescue New Zealand, Stan Alder, who lives in Huntly, says all miners are feeling the loss deeply.
Mr Alder says miners will be hoping for improvements to safety processes after reviews of the Pine River disaster.
