Pike River Mine sealing deadline extended to June

The Pike Families Memorial, in memory of the 29 miners killed in the Pike River coal mine disaster.

Work Safe New Zealand has agreed to extend the Pike River Mine sealing deadline to June.

The daily picket by mine families and supporters, which started just before the November 19 anniversary of the disaster, has resulted in West Coast contractors refusing to do the sealing work.

Solid Energy requested an extension.

Documents released under the Official Information Act by Work Safe NZ late last year show the mine already has a 1m-thick seal inside the drift, which is the stone drive entrance to the mine proper.

The next step is to add 25m to 26m of rubble, and at the face, a 1.5m seal.

The previous deadline was February 28.

- Greymouth Star