An Australian contractor which lost three staff members in the Pike River Mine disaster has been fined $46,800 after admitting breaches of the Health and Safety Act.

Pike River contractor Valley Longwall will be sentenced today for failing to ensure the safety of workers who died in explosions at the mine.

The axe suspended for two months over Greymouth's Spring Creek Mine finally fell today, amputating more than 200 jobs.

A lobby group a believes Kiwis support mineral exploration and mining as an avenue towards economic prosperity, but is concerned public awareness needs a boost.

This month's toll of job losses is striking - but it's a reflection of a slowing of the Chinese economy. It's time to look for jobs that have a future.

Close to 500 breadwinners will lose their jobs, and more than $50 million a year will be sucked out of the Greymouth economy, as Spring Creek Mine is moved into care and maintenance.

Miners were emotional after a meeting with the Minister of State Owned Enterprises, saying he had made up his mind over their proposal before the meeting began.

Solid Energy has proposed to slash 230 jobs at its Spring Creek mine as it can't afford to keep the operation running.

Miners facing the axe at Solid Energy's Spring Creek and Huntly East operations say a march on Parliament tomorrow is about more than saving their jobs.

The Pike River Royal Commission of Inquiry will not be reopened for more evidence and there will be no delay in the commission's report being published, a court has ruled.

Community services buckle under the strain of the mining industry's fly-in, fly-out 'parasites', say observers.