Re-entering the Pike River mine

Simon Bridges has just announced details of the Government's plan to re-enter the Pike River mine and eventually search for the remains of the miners killed in November 2010. Scoop reports:

Hon Simon Bridges
Minister of Energy and Resources

03 September 2013

Government to fund Pike River re-entry plan

The Government has approved conditional funding of a staged plan to re-enter and explore the main tunnel leading up to the rock fall at the Pike River Coal Mine, Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges has announced.
The decision follows approval in principle of the re-entry plan risk assessment by the Solid Energy Board.

Mr Bridges said the Government will fund the estimated cost of the plan, at $7.2 million.

“Our criteria are that any re-entry into the tunnel up to the rock fall is safe, technically feasible and financially credible. Safety is paramount, and the High Hazards Unit of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has reviewed the plan and is comfortable with it,” said Mr Bridges.

“This is a highly complex and technical operation and it will be carefully managed in stages, with a risk assessment undertaken at each stage. Ensuring the safety of workers is an absolute bottom line for the Government and Solid Energy.”

Mr Bridges said the scope of the operation did not include entry into the main mine workings which is blocked by the rock fall.

“The Government cannot comment or speculate about re-entering the main mine until the tunnel re-entry has been successfully achieved,” Mr Bridges said. 

The link above includes a Q&A with more detail about the Government's proposal, and the process is shown in diagrammatic form below. It is going to be a lengthy and difficult process, and it would be unrealistic to expect a quick outcome.

We are pleased that the Government has followed through on its commitment to do everything possible to recover the remains of the dead miners and contractors. We hope that today's announcement is the beginning of the end of the ordeal for all those who lost loved ones on 19 November 2010, and that it will help them eventually reach closure.