KEY POINTS:
A consultant geologist has appealed against a $10,000 fine and order to pay $20,000 in reparation over a coal miner's death almost two years ago.
He was one of three parties fined in Greymouth District Court on Tuesday over the death of Runanga miner Robert McGowan, 39.
Mr McGowan died when floodwaters engulfed the Black Reef mine near Dunollie, 8km northeast of Greymouth, on March 8, 2006.
The geologist had been found guilty of failing to ensure the safety of Black Reef Mine workers.
He had been granted interim name suppression until 4pm yesterday unless he appealed. A court spokesperson yesterday confirmed that an appeal had been lodged and his name remained suppressed until his next court appearance.
On Tuesday, mine manager Gary Haddow, who survived the tragedy, was fined $2000 and ordered to pay $10,000 reparation to Valma McGowan, after he had been found guilty late last year of failing to ensure the safety of himself, Mr McGowan and another miner.
The Black Reef Mine Company, which had admitted two charges, was also fined $10,000 and ordered to pay $20,000 reparation.
Judge James Weir said he took into account the company's guilty plea and the reparation it had already paid.
Black Reef earlier paid $10,000 to Mrs McGowan.
The charges were brought by the Department of Labour under the Health and Safety in Employment Act.
The mine flooded when water and rock burst through from the Baddley mine, which had been abandoned and flooded in the 1930s.
- NZPA
