Goff joins calls for Govt to fund Pike recovery operation

The entrance to the Pike River mine. Photo / Simon Baker

Labour Leader Phil Goff has joined calls for the Government to fund the operation to recover the bodies of 29 men trapped in the Pike River mine.

Pike River Coal went into receivership on Monday, leading to fears the recovery operation would be jeopardised.

The company's receivers have sought a meeting with Government ministers to persuade the Government to provide more money for the operation.

Pike River has only about $9 million in the bank but owes about $80 million dollars to secured creditors, and $11 million to unsecured creditors.

A committee formed on Monday by the families of the 29 trapped men also called for the Government to meet recovery costs.

Prime Minister John Key said yesterday he was committed to the recovery of the bodies, but that the issue was complicated.

He said he was seeking advice as to what funding the Government should provide.

However Mr Goff told Radio New Zealand advice was unnecessary and the Government should fund the recovery.

"It's not good enough to give sympathy and support to people who have lost their loved ones but to deny them the financial assistance to recover their remains. I don't why John Key even needs advice on that, the answer is obvious.

"We've got to do the right thing by those families."

Meanwhile, police say they are continuing to meet costs associated with the recovery operation at the mine and will do so as long as they continue to oversee the operation.

Assistant commissioner specialist operations Grant Nicholls said police will consider costs incurred by suppliers who have contributed to the emergency response and recovery effort.

"While we are in a hand-over phase, with the receivers, the mining company and other agencies, we are still continuing to coordinate efforts to get the mine into a safe state," Mr Nicholls said.

"We are continuing to meet costs associated with operating the GAG unit and have arranged for the nitrogen generator unit to be dispatched from Australia.

The GAG machine costs around $10,000 an hour. The entire operation is expected to cost in the millions of dollars.

"We will also consider other costs as they come forward, and make decisions about whether they relate to the search and recovery operation, or to other aspects of operating the mine.

"Where they are clearly contributing the search and recovery operation we have undertaken that we will meet those costs.

"The meeting of any other costs relating to activities at the mine or the mining company is something which will need to be considered by the receivers."

- NZHERALD STAFF