The Families have been shocked by the purported statement by the Prime Minister that the Pike River is to be “sealed”. Whether this has been correctly reported or not, the families are gravely concerned about events of the past 24 hours.

The Families of the miners were told yesterday that the Police had decided to terminate their recovery and re-entry processes and hand those over to the Receivers, subject to a response from the Receivers by Monday 17 January 2011. This came without warning to the families and in circumstances which caused them further and extreme distress and confusion.

At a personal level, they have wanted to recover those they love, whatever may have befallen them. They also wish to ensure that the fullest enquiry can be undertaken, which must include the best possible examination of the mine, tested in the Inquiry, before conclusions are reached.

They had not been consulted about the decision taken by the Police or any Crown agency or Minister. They understand that the decision has been taken based on advice from an expert panel, but they have extreme reservations about any such decision as they have had no input themselves, they do not understand Mines Rescue Trust to have agreed this decision, and they believe the decision has been taken at this point without bringing into account considerable successes in the past few days in stabilising the mine atmosphere.

It is clear that neither the Police nor the expert who addressed the families were aware of these very recent developments. Further, very recent and improved camera footage is understood by the families to demonstrate that where there may have been assumed extreme fire devastation such is not the case and there is excellent resolution of material in the mine to demonstrate how valuable re-entry would be for the purpose of the Inquiry and which is in turn relevant to the recovery attempts.

Their lead Counsel, Nicholas Davidson QC, has written to the Commissioner today asking for an immediate postponement of any decision pending further consideration and consultation. They will engage with a very senior and experienced West Coast mining expert on these issues.

The families are not unrealistic, but a decision of such consequence should be made only with an accurate and up to date appraisal of facts, a full understanding of expert opinions, and with time to absorb the implications of whatever decision is then made.

ENDS

© Scoop Media