Australia may benefit from setting up a fund to collect extra revenue generated by high commodity prices and invest it overseas, a Reserve Bank of Australia research paper has shown.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Pike River disaster will need more than 15 weeks to examine key issues, a families' spokesman says.

As the West Coast prepares for the visit of Prince William today, Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn reflects on the four tough months since the Pike River tragedy.

The inaction of Pike River mine receivers to venture into the mine has victims' families fearing the worst, says the father of one of the lost miners

A number of parties have already shown interest in buying the Pike River Coal mine, even though it's not yet officially for sale, says Receiver John Fisk.

The families of the 29 men killed in the Pike River mine disaster will each receive a minimum of $190,000 from the Pike River Disaster Relief Trust.

The Christchurch earthquake has delayed the preliminary hearing of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into last year's Pike River Coal mine disaster, which claimed the lives of 29 men.

Several appeals have been launched to help Cantabrians following today's devastating earthquake. ANZ launched an appeal and announced it would make the first donation, $1 million.

Stocks on Wall Street were mixed as investors awaited a fresh reason to extend the rally, while commodities including oil, gold and copper were boosted on hopes that Chinese demand would remain strong.

The 33 miners rescued from inside a Chilean mine last year had considered suicide and cannibalism, it has emerged.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Pike River Coal mine tragedy will hold a preliminary hearing in early March.