West Coast Police have arrested a man who was found at the Pike River Coal mine by security staff.
The 38 year-old Dunedin man was found inside the mine's bath house on Tuesday 26 April. The bath house is about nine kilometres from the mine.
The man has been charged with unlawfully being in a building and will appear in the Westport District Court on 26 May 2011.
Tasman Police District Commander Superintendent Gary Knowles said the incident was a timely reminder that the mine site was a secure area and not a place the public could access.
"We're aware there is significant interest in Pike River, however it is not a tourist attraction and anyone thinking about visiting the site will be disappointed. The security gates are a very long way from the mine itself and there is no public access.
"Any unauthorised person who is found on the site, or attempting to access the site, will be prosecuted," he said.
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