Pike River Coal to Implement Mine Stabilisation Plan
March 9, 2011, 5:51 pm
The New Zealand Police and Pike River Coal Limited (In Receivership) (the Company) announced today that the Company has resumed control of mine stabilisation operations at Pike River Mine.
One of the receivers of the Company, Mr John Fisk, said today that the Company intends to implement the Mine Stabilisation Plan prepared by Company management in conjunction with expert mining advisers. A separate fund has been set aside for this purpose.
In implementing the Mine Stabilisation Plan the Receivers will engage a panel of experts, including experts previously advising Police, so that there is continuity of risk assessment advice. It is hoped that the Mine Stabilisation Plan will eventually result in a sustainable inert atmosphere within the Mine that is also free from any underground heat sources.
"Stabilisation is a necessary first step to allow the investigation of options for the Mine. However, there can be no assurance that the Stabilisation Plan will be successful or, even if it is, whether other options such as an eventual re-entry to all or part of the Mine will be fe