Exploration to resume at beleaguered coal mine
THE New Zealand Government has approved, and will fund, a NZ$7.2 million plan to re-enter and explore the main tunnel of the former Pike River coal mine. Formerly operated by Pike River Coal, the mine was sealed in early 2011 following a series of explosions in November 2010 that resulted in the death of 29 workers. When Solid Energy purchased Pike River Coal’s assets (which were in receivership) in July 2012, it agreed to a condition requiring it to commit to undertaking recovery of the remains of the 29 men, provided it could be done safely, in a manner that was technically and financially feasible. Re-entry to the mine would give experts access to electrical equipment and possibly detect causes...
