Families and friends of the 29 miners trapped in the Pike River Coal Mine following Friday’s explosion have become increasingly agitated by the lack of action by the authorities involved in the rescue operation.
The mine, located near Greymouth on New Zealand’s West Coast, contains dangerous levels of poisonous and flammable gases, which have prevented rescue teams from entering.
Families, coming out of a press conference held this morning, were given “no fresh hope,” Newstalkzb radio reported.
Lawrie Drew, father of one of the trapped miners, told the radio station that he had support from members of the local community for ”putting his hand up” and going into the mine himself.
“The worst part about it is as every day goes past the desperation levels go higher,” Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn told the New Zealand Herald.
The analysis of gas samples continued throughout the night but, by morning, levels were still too high to mount a rescue attempt.
Rescue personnel will enter the mine the minute conditions inside are declared safe.
Trevor Watt, General Manager of New Zealand Mines Rescue, emphasized that the safety of both the rescue team and the trapped miners are of utmost importance.
“The logistics of deployment underground are quite vast,” he said, according to the Herald. “We’re talking two and a half kilometres from the portal to the first intersection in the mine that will have to be done on foot.”
The rescuers would not only have to walk uphill, he said, but would be carrying 5–10 kilos of equipment, as well as breathing apparatus weighing around 14 kilos. It could take them as long as two hours to reach the trapped miners.
The operation will be carried out in shifts with a team of seven men from the New South Wales Mines Rescue standing by in Christchurch if more help is needed.
Volatile conditions within the mine affect the rescue attempt Australian expert, Gavin Wendt of Mine Life told Newstalkzb. He speculated that it could “take several days, up to a week or so” as conditions must be absolutely safe before the rescue operation can begin.
The presence of gas and in particular methane buildups in mines makes coal mining one of the most dangerous operations in the world, he said.
Last night, a drilling team began making a 15cm bore into the mine, aimed at taking more accurate gas samples. The process was expected to take 24 hours and would be targeting an area separate from where the miners are believed to be.
The mine, located near Greymouth on New Zealand’s West Coast, contains dangerous levels of poisonous and flammable gases, which have prevented rescue teams from entering.
Families, coming out of a press conference held this morning, were given “no fresh hope,” Newstalkzb radio reported.
Lawrie Drew, father of one of the trapped miners, told the radio station that he had support from members of the local community for ”putting his hand up” and going into the mine himself.
“The worst part about it is as every day goes past the desperation levels go higher,” Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn told the New Zealand Herald.
The analysis of gas samples continued throughout the night but, by morning, levels were still too high to mount a rescue attempt.
Rescue personnel will enter the mine the minute conditions inside are declared safe.
Trevor Watt, General Manager of New Zealand Mines Rescue, emphasized that the safety of both the rescue team and the trapped miners are of utmost importance.
“The logistics of deployment underground are quite vast,” he said, according to the Herald. “We’re talking two and a half kilometres from the portal to the first intersection in the mine that will have to be done on foot.”
The rescuers would not only have to walk uphill, he said, but would be carrying 5–10 kilos of equipment, as well as breathing apparatus weighing around 14 kilos. It could take them as long as two hours to reach the trapped miners.
The operation will be carried out in shifts with a team of seven men from the New South Wales Mines Rescue standing by in Christchurch if more help is needed.
Volatile conditions within the mine affect the rescue attempt Australian expert, Gavin Wendt of Mine Life told Newstalkzb. He speculated that it could “take several days, up to a week or so” as conditions must be absolutely safe before the rescue operation can begin.
The presence of gas and in particular methane buildups in mines makes coal mining one of the most dangerous operations in the world, he said.
Last night, a drilling team began making a 15cm bore into the mine, aimed at taking more accurate gas samples. The process was expected to take 24 hours and would be targeting an area separate from where the miners are believed to be.
Pike River CEO Peter Whittall said a video camera and laser imaging would be employed to provide a more accurate picture of the situation below, once the hole has been drilled, OneNews reported.
The drillers had reached down to 100 metres at 10.30 a.m. local time, with 162 metres to clear, and would be using a diamond drill for the last ten metres to eliminate the chance of “sparking” occurring.
Whittall also said that two more buses would be provided for relatives of the trapped miners to visit the site and watch the operations.
He said the Pike River Mine explosion was a unique experience for him, according to AAP, as it had never happened in any mine where he had worked.
Prime Minister John Key said he believes New Zealand’s record for mine safety is good, but told the news agency “it goes without saying that” the circumstances surrounding the explosion would certainly be looked into.
The names of the trapped miners have been officially released and can be found on police.govt.nz/news/release/26106.html
The drillers had reached down to 100 metres at 10.30 a.m. local time, with 162 metres to clear, and would be using a diamond drill for the last ten metres to eliminate the chance of “sparking” occurring.
Whittall also said that two more buses would be provided for relatives of the trapped miners to visit the site and watch the operations.
He said the Pike River Mine explosion was a unique experience for him, according to AAP, as it had never happened in any mine where he had worked.
Prime Minister John Key said he believes New Zealand’s record for mine safety is good, but told the news agency “it goes without saying that” the circumstances surrounding the explosion would certainly be looked into.
The names of the trapped miners have been officially released and can be found on police.govt.nz/news/release/26106.html
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