It seems that since the Nz authorities declaired everyone dead that the world media have forgotten this disaster
i have just checked the nz press for an update and it's not good at all
there has now been four explosions the last of which has ripped that huge fan off the top of the shaft and now flames are bellowing out of it
it is now almost certain that the coal face is on fire and that piles of roof coal dislodged in the explosions are burning
this is now looking more and more unlikely that these men will ever be recovered what a sad state of affairs

god rest them all and lets hope they never suffered

Absolutely Dreadful.

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found this video clip where the guy says that just over the mountain is the Strongman mine which is still burning !
the Strongman mine exploded in 1967 !
and is STILL burning 43 years after it was sealed
not much chance of them putting this one out then !

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/pike-river-mine-blast/news/video.cfm?c_id=1503000&gal_cid=1503000&gallery_id=115497 

Moving this thread on a little. What are the thoughts about mining for coal in a seismically active area like NZ? While I know that the most recent big quake hit the South Island I also know that Wellington on the North Island felt a bump. I imagine that a shaking could well have led to raised methane levels and could have set the disaster in train.
Or am I talking rubbish (again)? 🙂

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god rest them all and lets hope they never suffered

Well said

I think it's really bad the way the mainstream media have forgotten about this. Now there's no suspense it suddenly ceases to become news. A sad state of affairs.

Thoughts with the families of the dead.

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That's the way of the media. I've been called back to work from holiday so I've been a little pre-occupied and not really kept up with things. Found this link to NZ TV. http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/hopes-recovering-bodies-still-rest-jet-machine-3932807 

It appears that they are still going to have a try with the GAG machine. At the end of the day while the recovery of the miners must still be a foremost objective, the investment in the mine to date must play a major part in the decision making.

Awful, truly awful.

In Zwickau, Germany, a Coal seam fire had been burning for around 300 years, until it was extinguished around 1860. Ill never forget that.

The problems with gas breaking the surface there continue today.

Im totally suprised we havent heard about the fire fighting capabilites of this mine. There must be provisions for such things. Damping systems on full, followed by shift workers with water if applicable until replaced by Fire teams with foam, and if all else fails, sealing and forcing Nitrogen in gas form throughout. The ability to seal areas much like a ship facilitates this well if it is possible.

Perhaps the conditions there dont allow for such things.

The fire coming from the ventillation systeme looks dreadful. Its all awful.

Its said in such times in Germany that St. Barbara (Patron Saint of Miners) is the unseen rescuer of the miners, guiding their soles to safety, leaving all sin behind in the mine. I doubt this is of any comfort to the families.

Just dreadful.

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Awful, truly awful.

Just dreadful.

These days expressions of impact have been devalued by the press, with
'disaster' etc. being over used.

But those two lines, expressed quietly by people who really mean it,
are full of impact.

And correct.

Progress of sorts is being made at Pike River. The GAG machine is beginning to have an effect although experts say it will be many weeks rather than days before access to the mine will be achieved. NZ TV video report here http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/gag-unit-working-well-tributes-continue-3941408/video 

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/mining/news/article.cfm?c_id=64&objectid=10695585 

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/gas-levels-prompt-evacuation-at-pike-river-20101220-192jl.html 

This what i can find on the world news.

Thanks

pace

I have just been to a new zeland site. The policeman gary knowles is still incharge he is threatening to seal the mine
the weather is hampering taking gas samples it was not a rise in gas levels but an inrush of oxygen when they had to shut down the gag machine for essential maintenance they have also been using the nitrogen generator but this has not been as succesful as they hoped while the gag was down they hoped to carry out spincrete work but the weather put a stop to it
the gag was down for two hours but is now running again
they are still talking months before they can enter if at all
shame !

The Pike River Coal company has gone into recievership,
Price -waterhouse are handling affairs,
114 men have been made redundant

The only good thing is that prior to going into receivership the management put all the compensation and pension/ wages owed into a seperate account which the receivers can not touch.

An update on the pike river mine explosion
the police have now said they are going to seal the mine dispite plea's from the families of the lost miners the rescue teams from Austrailia and New Zealand refused to go in to the mine to retreave the bodies and the gag machine is due to be sent back on the 25th of jan
the police are going to hand over the mine to the receivers
with a view to it being sealed
a very sad day for the families who are trying to hire a mining expert to give a second opinion
in the hope they can get the bodies of their loved ones out


very sad god bless them all !

I have to be honest and say that, If my Father or Brother was in that mine. I would not want or expect any mine rescuers to face the very high chance of being killed themselves. Having seen the NZ herald footage of the explosions and the ventilation shaft inferno. I sadly cannot see that they would find anything anyway. I feel very sorry for their families

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Have just checked out the story so far on pike river mine !
the company is now in the hands of the recievers Price Waterhouse Cooper the bodies have not yet been recovered
PWC have even suggested that a new adit could be constructed to reach the bodies even though it would take over two years to complete
the mayor of the region has said he would welcome an open cast option to remove the coal as the jobs are needed in that region the recievers have recieved more than ten enquiries to rework the mine if the tunnels can be repaired the offers are from both new zeland and major overseas mine operaters
so it now looks like the bodies will eventually be brought out
which is for me the most important thing before they start to mine there again

Update.

http://pikeriver.royalcommission.govt.nz/ 

Thanks Morlock,makes interesting reading.

Our HMIM in South Wales is moving over to NZ ,and will be involved with the re-opening of Pike River,in ready for selling on.