Pike River Coal says workers who lose their jobs at its West Coast mine, will receive redundancy payments.
The mine's remaining workforce has been told there will be a significant reduction in numbers, following the deaths of 29 men.
Chief executive Peter Whittall says employee numbers have to be reduced because coal is not being cut or processed while the bodies remain in the mine.
Pike River Coal employed 180 people before the disaster, which began on 19 November when an explosion occurred at the mine near Greymouth. The explosion has been followed by three others.
A decision on how many jobs will go is yet to be made.
