PIKE RIVER FAMILIES BACKED IN CALL FOR DECISION TO SEAL MINE TO BE PUT ON HOLD

The Pike River Families have the full backing of the EPMU to have the decision to seal the mine put on hold.

The crucial facts to warrant this are:
• The mine is understood to now be stable and has been for some days.
• The GAG machine has therefore successfully completed its work
• The first phase of the recovery operation has been successfully completed and preparations for the second re-entry phrase can now commence.
These elements appear to have been ignored in the Decision taken despite the request to urgently reassess the position. There seems something seriously flawed in the Decision, and a failure to consider or properly evaluate these facts.

Nicholas Davidson QC for the Families asked for a deferral of the Decision while this crucial and new information was considered. He has as yet had no reply but in the meantime the Prime Minister, no doubt acting on advice, has announced a decision. A leading figure in West Coast mining Mr Harry Bell is being consulted regarding the recovery and re-entry prospects today.

Now the families can only hope that there is a deferral of any action on sealing the mine while these developments are given close and consultative consideration. Their only other response available is at law. They are realistic people but they cannot understand why these crucial factors are not the subject of close official scrutiny. It will all come out in the Inquiry but this is the time for reassessment.

Andrew Little for the Union backs the Families to the hilt. On the face of it the decision taken has not been based on these crucial facts. Mines Rescue, the Union and the families should be involved as should the Receivers. There is common cause here and hindsight is not necessary to evaluate these new developments

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