Pike River: Gas levels promising

The nitrogen generator headed for the Pike River coal mine sits at the Ports of Auckland after it was stopped at the border on arrival from Australia. Photo / NZPA

Gas readings have been promising at the Pike River Coal mine since an Australian generator began pumping nitrogen into the mine yesterday to help cool the environment inside.

The 20-tonne Floxal nitrogen generator started working at 6.15pm yesterday, and was operating along with the Gorniczy Agregat Gasniczy (GAG) machine which has been pumping in water vapour to stabilise the environment.

The nitrogen from the Floxal generator displaced oxygen to reduce the chances of further explosions.

"Planning is under way today to turn off the GAG at some stage to measure the effect the Floxal is having on the environment," police said.

"The situation is being monitored with real-time gas testing and overnight those readings were described as 'positive'."

The generator arrived at the West Coast site yesterday afternoon after it was delayed in Auckland on Thursday, when Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry officials stopped the nitrogen generator following the discovery of eucalyptus leaves and rat faeces on board.

The machine would reach places the GAG could not and more effectively cool the mine, but it could still be months before it is safe to enter.

Pike River mine remains closed after a series of explosions from November 19 which killed 29 men, and the company has entered receivership.

The Government was still exploring options to recover the men's remains, but it remained unclear whether such an operation would ever be possible, Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee said.

Pike River Coal would submit a proposed recovery plan in the next few days, via its receiver PricewaterhouseCoopers. A decision was not likely until the new year as the Government would seek independent expert advice, Mr Brownlee said.

"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.

Police were still on-site overseeing the operation and were meeting the costs.

"However difficult as it is for families and friends of those who have lost loved ones, it remains unclear whether people will be able to access the mine," Mr Brownlee said.

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

- NZPA