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Scoop Coverage: Pike River Mining Explosion

Tuesday, 23 November 2010, 9:27 am
Article: Scoop Full Coverage

Pike River: Two-Minute Silence As Remembrance Service Begins

Prime Minister John Key has asked that all of New Zealand observes two minutes’ silence at 2pm as the Pike River Official Remembrance Service begins.

The service, to remember the 29 men who lost their lives in the Pike River Mine, will be held at the Omoto Racecourse in Greymouth.

Mr Key says, “I hope all of New Zealand will join with those of us at the service and observe two minutes’ silence at 2pm. This tragedy has affected all of us and tomorrow is an opportunity to join together in grief.” More>>

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Released: Footage Of The Third And Fourth Explosions

Attached is a link to a series of still images from the third and fourth explosions at the Pike River Coal Mine on Friday 26 November 2010 and Sunday 28 November 2010. More>>

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Gordon Campbell: On The Pike River Inquiry

The Royal Commission of inquiry into Pike River disaster has an open slate to identify the cause of the tragedy at this one mine, and the safety conditions in general for underground mining in New Zealand. In practice, the core questions will be as simple as they were with the Erebus inquiry.

There, the reasons why the plane hit the mountain came down to whether the cause was (a) pilot error or (b) the faulty flight co-ordinates supplied by Air New Zealand. For good reason, Royal Commissioner Justice Peter Mahon went with (b). More>>

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29/11/10: PM Announces Royal Commission

Prime Minister John Key announced today that Cabinet has agreed to establish a Royal Commission on the Pike River mine tragedy.

The inquiry will have broad terms of reference enabling it to examine and report on the causes of the explosions at the mine and subsequent loss of life, as well as all aspects of the safety regulatory regime and rescue operations that applied at the mine.

The Royal Commission will be chaired by Justice Graham Panckhurst, a sitting High Court judge. Two other Commissioners with relevant expertise in mining and safety regulation will also be appointed. More>>

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Christchurch Memorial Service For Pike River Miners

A memorial service to honour the lives of the 29 miners who died in the Pike River mining tragedy will be held at 1pm Monday 6 December 2010 at the Christchurch Cathedral. More>>

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Scoop Editorial: Pike River,
After The Second Explosion

What is important now is that all the questions are answered.

But almost equally important is that they be seen to be answered well.

The experience of the past week in Pike River and Greymouth has traumatised all of New Zealand - and possibly more than usually, the media and the police.

The relationship between the two has - to be blunt - reached a new low point.

For some in the media - and no doubt the public also - it felt as if the Police grossly mishandled the quantity and quality of the information they released.

For some in the police - and no doubt the public also - it felt as if the media preyed on the event looking for controversy and ratings. More>>

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Science Media Centre: Experts On Potential Techniques To Stabilise Pike River

A number of "inertisation" technologies, such as liquid nitrogen vapourisation are being considered to stabilise the situation in the mine and eliminate possible ignition sources such as smouldering fires.
It is understood a GAG jet engine unit from New South Wales is most likely to be used to force jet exhaust into the mine and create an inert atmosphere, eliminating any means of possible further ignition. More>>

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Parliament Today: Notice Of Motion On Pike River

Deputy Prime Minister Bill English moved on behalf of the Prime Minister that; This House mark the tragic loss of life that has occurred at the Pike River Mine, express its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the men that died, thank the rescue teams and support teams who were so willingly prepared to help and acknowledge the profound impact on the communities this disaster has affected. More>>

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pike river mine explosion

24.11.10: Second Explosion – No Survivors Expected

Police Commissioner Howard Broad said this afternoon's news that a second explosion has ended all hope of finding the 29 Pike River miners alive is devastating for the miners' families and the West Coast community.

"This is extremely distressing and we, like the rest of New Zealand, are deeply saddened at this news and for the anguish the families and the community will be feeling." [Image via Earlier TV3 Video - First video of mine explosion emerges]

Mr Broad said this is an event which will stay with the Coast forever and now was the time to show leadership to help the community through this tragedy. More>>

Audio: PM's Press Conference - Pike River Tragedy

Audio on Demand of NZ Prime Minister John Key's press conference this evening held to respond to the second explosion in the Pike River Coal Mine on Wednesday afternoon. More>>

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*** earlier ***

Pike River: Situation "Bleak" For Miners

Police continue to plan for the rescue of the Pike River miners but say the likelihood is diminishing. More>>

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Tuesday video

  • TV3 Video - Pike River: Video of mine explosion released - First video of mine explosion emerges - Father of youngest trapped miner speaks out - Family's frustration at Pike River rescue effort - Pike River day five presser - full conference - Pike River day five presser - Q & A - Pike River Day 5 presser - Collins and Broad - Pike River Day 5 presser - Supt Gary Knowles - 2008 report highlighted mine safety issues - Robot replacement leaves police red faced - Mine disaster hits home for NZRU President - Greymouth Star closest to Pike River - Broad responds to families' frustration - Victim Support in Greymouth with miners' families - US mine disaster mirrors Pike River - Bomb squad robot sought from US - A closer look at the Pike River mine - Pike River: Full news bulletin - Day 2 - Pike River: Full news bulletin - Day 3

    • Science Media Centre: Defence Robot Stalls In Mine

    A military robot sent into the Pike River mine to survey conditions has broken down, mine officials confirmed at a press conference this morning.

    The multi-purpose robot carried four cameras, which it was hoped would return images to engineers of the mine's interior. Officials said the robot had stalled a short distance into the mine...

    "It is always a long shot to use any robot for a situation or environment that it's not designed for-- and we are still learning about what is needed for underground mine rescue," said rescue robot expert Professor Robin Murphy of Texas A&M University. More>>

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    john key, PM's press conferenceAudio & Images: PM Press On Pike River Explosion (And More)

    Audio on Demand of NZ Prime Minister John Key's press conference today. The PM answered questions about the response to the explosion at the Pike River coal mine on Friday, the decision by Standard and Poors to put NZ sovereign debt on negative watch, Pansy Wong and Electoral finance reform. More>>

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    Mine Efforts: "Thank You For Messages Of Goodwill"

    Emergency services and welfare agencies working to rescue the miners from the Pike River Coal Mine have been overwhelmed with messages of goodwill from New Zealand and around the world.

    "We have been inundated with messages of support from throughout the country and other parts of the world including Australia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and United States," said commander of Operation Pike, Superintendent Gary Knowles. More>>

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