Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy

NEWS UPDATE

~ February 7, 2012 ~

Revised reporting date

The Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy has received an extension to the date it must report to the Governor General.

The Commission will now report by 28 September 2012 (the earlier date was 31 March 2012).

It is important that the Commission does a thorough investigative job and produces robust recommendations that are appropriate, realistic and achievable. Accordingly the Commission sought and has now received an extension to 28 September to complete its inquiries and report to the Governor General.

The Commission’s timelines and management of evidence and hearings were complicated by the parallel inquiries being conducted by the Police and the Department of Labour.

The Commission has made good progress and has held nine weeks of hearings so far. We are currently examining the health and safety and mining systems at Pike River Coal Ltd and the cause of the explosion. Further hearings are being held from 8 to17 February.

The Commission is also working on the policy aspects of its inquiries now. The inquiry process includes giving participants the opportunity to make final submissions at hearings in April.

Following this the Commission will complete its inquiries and deliver its final report to the Governor General by 28 September this year.

~ Key Dates ~

Phase 3 (What happened at Pike River?) hearings

8 February - 17 February

Final submissions hearings

Scheduled for 2 April - 4 April

ENDS

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