19 December 2011

Pike River Recovery

Recent articles have conveyed a misleading impression to the public and the Families regarding the prospect of entry into the Pike River Mine for the purpose of recovery of the men.

First, it has been suggested that the mine can now be re-entered. The reason given was that the mine is “inert”. The mine has been inert for several months, but it is now a methane environment, and can only be entered through the drift, with respiration. The position has been discussed at length with Mines Rescue Service, and while technically an entry could be achieved, the risks associated with it are understood, and there are further risks associated with entry into an area which has not been entered since the explosions. We do not know what damage or obstruction may exist in the drift itself. The intent is that the drift will not just be re-entered but reclaimed and ventilated, by the process which is presently underway. While that has been delayed significantly beyond what the Families were advised (Christmas 2011), the independent engineer retained for the Families is (Bruce McLean) monitoring that position. The indications are that if the end of the drift is successfully sealed, the drift may be reclaimed towards the end of March.

Further, a newspaper report suggested that the mine workings can be re-entered now, but after reclamation of the mine workings, beyond the rock fall at the end of the drift, has not been the subject of any reporting or detailed engineering considerations. This very much lies in the intent of a purchaser of the mine, to be bound by an obligation to take all reasonable steps to effect a recovery, but the route and means by which that will be undertaken is completely uncertain. The Families are expecting a further report from Mr McLean early in the New Year, but it will remain a matter of contemplation and not certainty, until a specific plan is developed for entry into the mine workings.

It is important to note, as has been said before, that most of the Family members seek recovery, but there are some few who do not, and the feelings of all the Families must be understood and respected.

This is a period of uncertainty, as the drift reclamation proceeds, and before recovery as such can be undertaken.

Yours faithfully,

Nicholas Davidson QC
Richard Raymond
Jessica Mills
Colin Smith

ENDS

© Scoop Media