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 from the West Coast and Huntly who are set to lose their jobs, will converge on parliament today as the company looks abroad for investors.

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.

West Coast miners will march through Greymouth today in a fight to keep the Spring Creek mine open. Organisers hope 500 people will join the march, in what could be the biggest protest on the West Coast since the end of native logging.