An Aussie mine expert recalls when rescuers were within metres of 12 trapped miners, only to be recalled due to "off the chart" gas readings.

Keep up with the latest updates from the Pike River mine, where 29 miners have been trapped since Friday's blast.

Rescuers plan to send a Defence Force robot into the Pike River coal mine where 29 miners remain trapped after an explosion on Friday, one gas levels drop.

Rescuers are racing to reach 28 men trapped in a coal mine in southern China.

Missing miner Stuart Mudge loves the industry for the hard work and mateship it provides.

nzherald.co.nz profiles the men trapped in the Pike River coal mine on the West Coast.

If you haven't got time to read all our in-depth coverage of the Pike River Mine disaster, here's a quick summary of five key things you need to know today.

Police have officially named the 29 miners trapped in the Pike River coal mine on the West Coast since Friday.

Pike River says equipment such as robots could create sparks in a gaseous environment.

Testing of gas levels in the Pike River mine continued overnight, but the mine is still deemed too dangerous for a rescue attempt to be mounted.

Rescuers are on standby to enter the Pike River coal mine to bring out their brothers, and will go in at the slightest opportunity.

The Pike River coal mine board has rebutted allegations that money woes compromised safety at the mine.

'I was saying, 'Please, please help me someone. God, I don't care. Anyone.' - Daniel Rockhouse, who was closest to the blast.

Rescue workers, who have one of their own trapped in the Pike River coal mine, hope a hole being drilled in the mine tonight will reveal air samples allowing them to enter the mine.

These photos tell the story of this tragic event, and of its impact on those involved.

It's been revealed a member of the mine rescue team is among those trapped. Officials say gas levels inside the mine are falling, but unstable.

The backgrounds of the missing men are as wide and varied as their ages, hailing from as far abroad as Scotland and Africa. Meet the miners.

The Pike River mine blast has made global headlines, with two Britons, two Australians and a South African are among the 29 missing.

Praying for a miracle, hundreds attended church services in Greymouth on Sunday morning.

There is a growing sense of despair among the families of the 29 miners who have been trapped at Pike River since Friday.

The hole being drilled by Pike River mine rescuers could allow the miners to communicate with people on the surface.