Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Further delays to entering Pike River mine

Updated at 3:16 pm on 2 June 2011

The gradual re-entry into the Pike River Coal mine has been further delayed, because gas levels remain unsafe. The re-entry, which has previously been delayed due to gas levels, was due to start on Monday.

Twenty-nine men were killed at the West Coast mine, in a series of explosions that began on 19 November last year.

The receiver of Pike River Coal, PricewaterhouseCoopers, says its mine stablisation plan will allow options to be investigated for the mine, but carbon monoxide levels have so far stymied the work.

PricewaterhouseCoopers partner John Fisk says work in the mine portal will not be allowed to start until there is sign-off from the Mines Rescue Service and other experts on site.

The latest results show a decrease in carbon monoxide levels, but it is still not safe to attempt the planned stabilisation work.

Mr Fisk says other preparation work has been carried out, and the situation will be monitored so that work at the mine entry can start as soon as possible.

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