BS: New Zealand mine explosion (19 Nov 2010)

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 10:59 PM

Too sad.

Russ (Permanent GUEST)

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 11:16 PM

Oh this is too sad...so heartbreaking. Andrea, more hugs to you for all the memories this must be bringing up and my thoughts and condolences, as well as tears, for lost and their families and friends.

I think Spaw said it earlier, no one should have to die for such as coal, etc.

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion (19 Nov 2010)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 Nov 10 - 11:35 PM

Another blast reported at Pike River mine Another explosion has rocked the Pike River Coal mine in New Zealand, where 29 miners earlier perished.

The blast shortly before 2:00pm (12:00pm AEDT) on Sunday was the fourth in the mine since an explosion on November 12 trapped the 29 men.

Another blast on Wednesday dashed any hopes that the miners might be found alive.

Twenty-four New Zealanders, two Australians, two Scots and a South African who died in the mine near Greymouth.

A third explosion tore through the mine on Friday afternoon.

There were no injuries from Sunday's explosion and people working near the entrance to the mine were moved away from the area for their safety.

Superintendent Dave Cliff said the latest explosion demonstrated the volatility of the environment surrounding the mine.

"Our focus continues to be on the safety of those people working at the mine site and the recovery team," he said.

"We are doing all we can to progress the recovery operation, however the explosion reinforces the risks involved in working in this environment and the requirement to put people's safety first."

NZPA was told that Sunday's explosion blew away some of the infrastructure on top of the shaft.

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion (19 Nov 2010)
From: Janie
Date: 28 Nov 10 - 12:17 AM

Has anyone heard of something like this before? This series of explosions over days?

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion (19 Nov 2010)
From: Little Robyn
Date: 28 Nov 10 - 05:26 AM

More from TV3News:

Police have held a press conference tonight to speak about today's explosion at the Pike River mine.

Inspector Mark Harrison, who is leading the team attempting to recover the bodies of the 29 miners, has confirmed that with each explosion it becomes less and less likely that those bodies will be recovered intact.

Today's gas explosion has sparked a coal fire, which will cause further complications for the recovery team.

Inspector Harrison says if the fire is burning in processed coal, it will be less intense and easier to bring under control, but if the fire is at the seam, it will be a concern and may take a long time to be doused - if it can.

"Given that there is a significant coal fire burning in the mine, all our options for recovery are being re-evaluated. We need sufficient expert advice from the mine operators and managers to be able to determine how this will impact on our operation," says Inspector Harrison.

A GAG which has been flown over from Australia to help prevent explosions in the mine has not started operating yet but is expected to begin to be used tomorrow.

Another option for the recovery team is to seal off the mine.

Today's explosion has completely blown off the ventilation shaft, which has left a cleaner hole in the ground which may make the mine easier to seal.

Pike River Coal CEO Peter Whittal says that flames could be seen emerging from the shaft during the explosion and that it looked like a "bunsen burner".

However he did not tell the families this information at tonight's briefing as it was "too graphic".

The families are growing increasingly concerned that they will not have the bodies of their loved ones back before Christmas, and Mr Whittal has said he cannot promise this will happen.

The latest events may push the recovery back several weeks or months.

It doesn't look good now.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion (19 Nov 2010)
From: Little Robyn
Date: 01 Dec 10 - 01:58 PM

There's a big memorial service at 2pm today - broadcast live on telly. The PM has asked the whole country to observe 2mins silence in their honour.
Meanwhile, the GAG machine has been set up and pumping away, trying to change the gases in the mine and douse the flames but it might be tricky if it's the coal seam on fire. I believe there's a fire in another mine that has been burning for years.
The blast on Sunday blew the ventilation shaft apart and reports say it looks like a bunsen burner.
Things just seem to be getting worse.
Robyn