27 Jul 2011

Potential overseas buyers visit Pike River mine

6:53 pm on 27 July 2011

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.

Twenty-nine men died in explosions at the coal mine in November last year. The company was put into receivership in December.

A number of overseas buyers have expressed an interest in buying the mine, as has the West Coast based company Solid Energy.

A spokesperson for the receivers, Malcolm Hollis, says due diligence for the mine's sale is already under way.

Mr Hollis says it is unlikely the sale will be finalised within the next month, however.

Meanwhile the receivers and Solid Energy have been in court in Wellington this week arguing over land Pike River leased at Ikamatua and used as a storage depot.

The receivers want the storage depot to be included in the sale of the company. The court's decision has been reserved.