Photos of the third and fourth explosions at the Pike River mine.

In the wake of the Pike River tragedy, PhD student Jesse Dykstra blogs on the mining industry and the associated risks

Hopes of recovering bodies are fast fading for families of the 29 miners lost in the Pike River mine.

An Australian expert was arriving in Greymouth tonight to provide advice on the jet engine GAG operation at the ill-fated Pike River Coal mine, where it's "highly likely" part of a coal seam has caught fire.

The chief executive of Pike River mine says the families of the 29 victims of the disaster are coming to terms with the fact they may not get their loved ones back, as recovery efforts continue to be hindered.

Volunteers have been working "frantically" to prepare for Thursday's remembrance service to honour the 29 men who lost their lives in the Pike River Coal mine

Nightmares about the 12 Queensland miners he could not save have haunted John Brady for more than 20 years.

Present and past Govt ministers are likely to come under scrutiny from the royal commission of inquiry into the Pike River mine tragedy.

Flames were last night shooting from the top of a 108m ventilation shaft at the Pike River coal mine - and only a couple of mountain peaks away a 43-year-old fire from the Strongman mine continues to billow smoke.

Families of the 29 men who died in the Pike River mine continue to be frustrated that the recovery of the bodies is still not underway as a massive fire, with flames shooting through a mine shaft, continues to burn.

The Pike River Coal mine may have to be temporarily sealed after a fourth blast sent smoke and flames spewing from underground.

A royal commission of inquiry into the Pike River tragedy will look at causes of the blast and the initial response.

Jim O'Donnell helped drag his dead mates out of the Strongman mine in a marathon rescue.

Families grieving after the Pike River disaster have called on a lawyer who rallied for victims in a previous West Coast disaster.

Large amounts of smoke and flames are coming from the Pike River Coal mine after a fourth, powerful explosion today and boss Peter Whittall says it may have to be temporarily sealed.

Another explosion shortly before 2pm today damaged some of the infrastructure at Pike River mine, but a "gagging" operation is still on track to commence tomorrow.

The Prime Minister and Governor-General will speak at a memorial for the 29 men who died in the Pike River Coal mine.