An Australian mine expert says there is no urgent need to reach the trapped miners "at this point in time", backing the Pike River rescue approach.

West Coasters went about their business today hoping for the best but painfully aware of the grim record of tragedies in mining.

With luck, the country will receive news that the brave 29 are back above ground and telling tall tales over a beer.

Police say a bid to rescue or recover 29 miners trapped in a West Coast coal mine is on hold, and could begin at any time over the next two days.

He avoided yesterday's Pike River blast by minutes - now a miner waits for news of trapped workmates.

Mining companies around the world face a constant struggle to avoid accumulations of methane gas and coal dust underground.

Rescue crews will face a number of challenges as they work towards accessing the area where 29 coal miners are believed to be trapped.

Since its announcement in 2005, the Herald has tracked the progress of the Pike River coal mine.

The two men who managed to get out of the Pike River mine clambered up a narrow chimney to escape.

Cabinet ministers were last night travelling to the Pike River Mine, as the Government offered assistance in the rescue of the trapped miners.

The Herald's energy reporter, who has visited Pike River, reflects on the project's delays, and now disaster.

Concerns over air quality are delaying the start of a rescue attempt to find 27 men trapped after an explosion at a West Coast mine this afternoon.

A rescue team preparing to search for 27 men trapped inside a collapsed West Coast mine are still assessing the safety of conditions inside the mine.

Methane gas has long been identified as a potential problem for the Pike River Coal mine, as rescuers scramble to find up to 27 missing miners.

Send your messages of support to the families and friends of the trapped West Coast miners.