Mine rescue must not remain with 'Mr Plod' - editor

Superintendent Gary Knowles. Photo / Simon Baker

An Australian-based online mining journal today called for New Zealand police to be blocked from controlling mine rescues.

"What I never want to see again is a disaster of the Pike River mine's magnitude being controlled by the police...and not the people trained and skilled in mine rescue," target="_blank">nzresources.com editor Ross Louthean said in an editorial headed: "Mine rescue must not remain with Mr Plod".

Another Australian journalist - from a daily newspaper - caused a stir during the rescue bid by asking at a press conference why the rescue was being overseen by a "local country cop".

Tasman district police area commander Superintendent Gary Knowles said the emergency response was a multi-agency approach which relied on expert advice.

New Zealand police have called in an Australian mining expert to help recover the bodies of the 29 men trapped in the mine since the initial November 19 explosion.

Volatile conditions underground are hampering efforts to coordinate the recovery of bodies and Mr Knowles said the expert, who does not want to be named, arrived on the West Coast today to meet recovery coordinators.

He told the ABC that the "recognised world authority" had been monitoring readings at the mine from his Queensland home.

"He's been watching the mine as it moves up and down and how it lives and breathes. Having him on site today is an integral part of the operation."

Louthean today said he had been "astounded" police were in charge and making it known what could and could not happen.

"Discussing this with Australian mining colleagues, their view was stronger, suggesting it may hinder saving lives," he said.

Local police played a highly commendable role with the Greymouth community, "but the practice of going back to Wellington for vetting and approval for a critical mine rescue shows New Zealand is a few bricks short of a wall in terms of saving the lives of miners or retrieving their bodies".

In Australia all the decisions are made by search rescue leaders and the inspectors of mines.

If recommendations made by the Royal Commission inquiring into the disaster gave more power to the police search and rescue organisation in Wellington, they might increase the danger to any future miners in peril, he said.

"Greater power may be vested in Wellington bureaucracies that should be listening to people skilled in mine rescues and retrievals, not dictating to them," he said.

The New Zealand mining industry and the mining union need to make compelling submissions," said Louthean, who called on Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee "to support the giving back of rescue powers to mining industry".

- NZPA