Pike River to present plan to Govt on Wednesday

The Floxal nitrogen generator. Photo / NZ Police

Pike River Coal will on Wednesday put forward a plan to recover the bodies of the 29 men, killed in the West Coast mine last month.

The company went into receivership a week ago and receivers PricewaterhouseCoopers will present the plan to the Government for consideration.

However, Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee said a decision was not likely until the new year as the Government would seek independent expert advice.

An Australian nitrogen generator began pumping gas into the mine on Saturday to help cool the environment inside, however, some experts have warned it could be up to three months before the mine is cool enough to enter and recover the bodies of the men, trapped since a series of explosions at the mine on November 19.

The nitrogen displaces oxygen, reducing reduce the chances of further explosions and police said the gas testing readings since the generator started were "positive".

The nitrogen generator was operating along with the Gorniczy Agregat Gasniczy (GAG) machine which has been pumping in water vapour to stabilise the environment.

Mr Brownlee expressed impatience with the progress the GAG machine had made.

"When the GAG machine was brought in, Pike River Coal told the Government and families the mine would be made inert and stable within hours of being operational.

"Almost 20 days later that has not yet been achieved."

The key issue was not the cost of the recovery, but the stability and safety of the mine.

"We will continue to take the best advice possible on whether a recovery operation is feasible."

Meanwhile, more than $5.5 million has so far been donated to the trust for the families of the 29 men.

The Pike River Relief Fund Trust had, as of yesterday, raised over $5.5 million in donations from businesses, organisations and the public, which was an "unbelievable" level of support, it said.

Meanwhile, bidding on Trade Me for a "lucky rock" found by trainee Pike River Coal miner James O'Donoghue reached $2000 this morning, with proceeds to be shared with four fellow trainees who are missing out on redundancy now the mine has closed. The auction closes at 6.30pm today.

- NZPA