BS: New Zealand mine explosion (19 Nov 2010)

Subject: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 09:35 AM

From the Associate Press, via NPR: Dozens Missing After Gas Blast At New Zealand Mine

A gas explosion ripped through one of New Zealand's largest coal mines Friday while dozens of workers were underground. Five of them, dazed and slightly injured, stumbled to the surface hours later, and 27 were missing, officials said.

Police said that shortly before the blast the electricity went out in the mine, which may have caused ventilation problems. That may have contributed to a buildup of gas underground. Rescue teams were waiting for word that the mine was safe to enter.

...

"We're not a deep-shafted mine so men and rescue teams can get in and out quite effectively, and they'll be able to explore the mine quite quickly," he said. "They will work throughout the night and they'll work until they can go right throughout the mine and determine the extent of the incident and the safety of our employees." (Peter Whittall, chief executive of mine operator Pike River Coal Ltd.)

---

The Pike River Coal mine is located in mountains near Atarau on New Zealand's South Island, near Greymouth.

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: gnu
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 09:59 AM

Oh my.

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: Little Robyn
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 03:48 PM

They're still trying and it's 9:30am Saturday here.
It's not a shaft sort of mine - it's a drive in one and it goes up hill, inside the hill. There's not much methane gas showing up and there is a ventilation shaft where they think the miners will be. Their instructions/training for this type of situation is to find that and stay there. There is breathing equipment and rescue equipment down there.
I believe one of the two who came out was an electrician who was checking why the power was out and a driver he helped out after the explosion. They're both still in hospital.
Some of the men in there are miners and others are contractors. The youngest is 17, the oldest in his 60s. A few have British passports, I think some are Aussies, some are single and some have young families so it's a real mix. It only opened a couple of years back.
Experts from everywhere are coming, and politicians but the police are co-ordinating things, with military on stand-by to help with the rescue.   
The feeling at the moment is very positive - the environment is still unstable so they're waiting until it's safe to go in. They've been working throughout the night but they hope to get everyone out safely as soon as they can.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: gnu
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 03:51 PM

Thanks for the update. T&Ps from here.

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: Little Robyn
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 05:50 PM

The weather is causing the hold-up.
They want to fly a helicopter over the ventilation shaft and take readings to see if it's safe to send in the rescue team. They don't want to send any more men into a dangerous situation. But it's wet and a mist has come down, over the hills. They're sending experienced trampers into the bush but it's really dense and rugged so it will take hours for them to get up there.
The weather forecast doesn't offer much hope for several days - I just hope the guys inside can wait that long.........
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: catspaw49
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 06:00 PM

Random thought..........Did you ever notice that we have songs about brave sailors or railmen and other dangerous things but very few about miners? There are some but its a helluva lot more dangerous than many things we consider it takes a "brave man" to do.....and a lot fewer songs. Anyway.........

Following the story in the news here with my best thoughts for those miners and their families.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: gnu
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 06:14 PM

Indeed Spaw... and it's near and dear to many around the world.

Here's one.

It's not as good as other versions I have but it's the only one I could find on short notice.

It's one of my all time favs. As I have said here many times.

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 06:50 PM

Coal Tattoo
Gresford Disaster
Blantyre Explosion
Black Leg Miner
Dark as a Dungeon.
Red Wing Blackbird

That's just off the top of my head. There are dozens of songs about mines and miners

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: catspaw49
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 09:15 PM

Yeah there are after I thought about it........... but I think my mind was running more toward the hero type songs whereas mining songs are more realistic regarding the work which is as it should be I guess. But somehow it just seems different to me. Brave engineer versus struggling miner. Course that may be better come to think about it but.............

Sorry I brought it up. Confuses me......I may need some more drugs...................or I've already had too many.........


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: Beer
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 11:48 PM

I know this is not about songs but i have to tell you that a fellow by the name of Hughie McDonell performed at our coffee house last month (lives in Nova Scotia)and sang a mining song that is not recorded as yet. My God... He had everyone in tears and lumps in their throats.
I promise I will start a thread on it or place it where it should be.
Ad.

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 01:22 PM

No news?

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: Ebbie
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 01:42 PM

May the ending be a happy one. I can only imagine the agony of those waiting.

(gnu, thanks for posting that song. It's a great song and Olddude's voice is just perfect for it.)

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: Little Robyn
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 02:55 PM

Just before 9am Sunday here.
The tests are showing gas and heat in there. The rescue team is still on hold. Buses are taking members of the families up to the site this morning, to keep them in touch with what is happening.
A drill rig has gone up the mountain, mainly to take samples from further in, just a small hole at first. But they say 16-20 hours of drilling, just to finish the hole.
The rescue crews (also miners)are up there training for the situation so that the minute they're given the go ahead, they'll be straight in there.
Peter Whittall, the Chief Executive of the company, has worked at the mine until recently and was also involved in the building of it so he knows the place inside and out. His answers to the reporter's questions are very interesting - he knows what is in there, what they have available such as food, oxygen, vetilation systems etc and he knows each of the miners as well. Most of them were working within 100 metres of each other and hopefully, they are all near a ventilation shaft, just waiting for a rescue team. But there's also a chance that the rescue attempt could cause another explosion and more lives could be at risk.
International rescue agencies are offering help and equipment if needed.
One newspaper report mentions the British miners:-
Both missing Britons are believed to be Scottish. One, Pete Rodger, 40, from Perthshire, emigrated to New Zealand two years ago to be closer to his mother and sister, according to Scotland's Courier newspaper. The second has been named in media reports as Malcolm Campbell, 25, originally from St Andrews in Fife.

Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 05:23 PM

Reuters - "New Zealand Mine Rescue Faces Delay", with what you said, Robyn.

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: Little Robyn
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 06:28 PM

There's a midday update on telly right now.
Family members were taken to the site by bus and stayed for about 2 hours. There's still no action but they haven't given up hope yet.
They've named some of them already - from the TV3 site:

Mayor of Greymouth Tony Kokshoorn confirmed yesterday that one of the men is local councillor Milton Osborne.

There is also Josh Ufer, a 27-year-old Australian whose girlfriend is due to give birth in May.

The wait is frustrating for the families. Lawrie Drew's 21-year-old son Zen is one of the men trapped. Speaking to Sunday Star Times last night, Mr Drew said he wanted to get in and rescue his son.

"If I had my way, I'd be down there and I'd go into the mine myself. I'd go and look myself, gas or not."

The Rockhouse family has been impacted more than most over the last couple of days.

Dan Rockhouse, 24, along with Russell Smith, 50, managed to escape the mine after the blast.

Dan's grandfather Rocky passed away while Dan was recovering in hospital.

His brother Ben Rockhouse is still trapped in the mine and their father Neville is the safety and training manager at Pike River Coal.

The Herald on Sunday reported the oldest trapped miner, Alan Dixon, 62, called his partner from the mine after the blast. The call went through but it was "fuzzy".

Local rugby players Blair Sims, 28, married with two young daughters and Michael Monk, 23, a rugby union hooker are among the 29.

Police also confirmed there is a father of five in the mine but wouldn't name him.

The names which have been released are as follows:

Milton Osborne, Josh Ufer, Zen Drew, Ben Rockhouse, Alan Dixon, Blair Sims, Michael Monk, Chris Duggan, Malcolm Campbell, Kane Nieper, Koos Jonker, Conrad Adams, Brendon Palmer and Peter Rodger.

One is South African, 2 Scots, 2 Aussies and the rest Kiwis.
Fifteen miners remain unnamed.

The weather is still damp and misty. Not helpful.

The TV3 link is here.

Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: Janie
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 07:42 PM

Is there a lot of mining in New Zealand? What besides coal? Does the mining industry there have a pretty good safety record?

Been following the news on this explosion, and hoping for a good outcome.

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: Little Robyn
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 08:20 PM

Hi Janie, there used to be but not much now.
There's also gold mining but again, not as much as there used to be.

All about NZ mines from Wikipedia.

They claim we have a good safety record but there have been nasty accidents in the past.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 08:40 PM

I hope they all come out all right.

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: GUEST,Ana
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 11:23 PM

Heading down shortly to support friends who have family in the mine.
I know they are 'humbled' by all the love and support coming their way.
It all feels very surreal. I have always engaged with historical songs and stories about such things. Suddenly it is so very close.
Being a coalmine, it is a very different situation to the Chilean mine, where it was a collapse rather than explosion. The biggest problem is the very real possibility of a further explosion - the methane levels are uncertain.

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Nov 10 - 11:59 PM

My best thoughts to all of thos folks...............Once again I have to say, using coal is too damn expensive.\


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: rich-joy
Date: 21 Nov 10 - 01:01 AM

Spaw, Cloudstreet (fabulous Aussie duo) fit your bill, as they do a song called "Down in the Goldmine" on their latest album "The Circus of Desires" (there are some vidclips on The Net).

It's about the miner, Modesto Varischetti,who was trapped at the flooded "Westralia" goldmine near Coolgardie, in 1907, and eventually rescued by 2 divers. The engineer on the fields was your countryman, Herbert Hoover .....

The story is here :
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/a-great-survival/2006/05/05/1146335930445.html


Cheers, R-J

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: Janie
Date: 21 Nov 10 - 01:38 AM

Thanks Little Robyn.

Doesn't look good now, but hoping when the gas and the heat clears out there will be cause to rejoice.

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: GUEST,Ana
Date: 21 Nov 10 - 01:52 AM

My friends are talented musicians. Sing songs of hope this week, and caring. Caring is all we are able to do right now.

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: Little Robyn
Date: 21 Nov 10 - 03:02 AM

9pm Sunday
Still no news.
Latest reports on telly are similar:

The latest samples from the mine's ventilation shaft show the air is improving but that something is still burning.

Mr Whittall says they aren't sure what it is but it could be smouldering coal.

Police say conditions in the mine are so uncertain they can't even go in with a robot.

"We've had offers from the army and certainly appreciate it. It's an unstable environment so if we sent in an automatic device and its power source created an explosion it could cause more damage than good," says superintendent Gary Knowles.

The TV3 link above seems to be updated regularly.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: Little Robyn
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 05:28 AM

Nearly midnight Monday/Tuesday and we're still just watching and waiting. There are 'experts' from all around the world helping and they all say not to rush things - apparently there was a similar explosion in an Aussie mine years ago and the rescue team dashed in trying to save people, but they just managed to set off another explosion which killed the original miners plus the rescuers as well.
So that's why we're waiting until the gas levels are better.
Also they now have a robot which is also waiting but the rescue guys are learning how to use it while they wait.
I hope the families are getting some sleep tonight.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: mouldy
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 12:01 PM

Back on line now after my house move.

Having gone through a very similar experience, I am expecting the worst. However, I really hope and pray that these men were far enough from the blast have time to get their self-rescuers onto their faces, so that they could breathe in monoxide. Even so, the pressure wave would have been tremendous, and monoxide levels very high, let alone extra methane released when the place caved. The rescuers are being sensible, however frustrating and painful it is for the waiting families. At least that was one horror I was spared, as they got Ian out within hours of it happening. He never got chance to use his self-rescuer.

"Bone and blood is the price of coal..."


Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: Gurney
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 12:58 PM

I'm not sure why the spokesman for the rescue is a police officer. When I was a miner, the pits 'Grew their own timber.'

Last night, the biggest newspaper in NZ phoned me to ask if I was related to a Francis Marden. No, I'm not. I didn't understand why they had phoned until the evening news, when they listed the trapped men, Francis among them. Obviously, they want a human-interest interview.

Chris Marden.

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: Little Robyn
Date: 23 Nov 10 - 06:25 AM

Well they sent in the robot thing........and half a km in it struck water and broke down. Another one is being sent, from US, I think.
The TV news showed a video of the entrance at the time the blast happened. That was 2 km from the blast and the dust came rushing out for almost a minute - what must it have been like inside?
The shaft they were drilling from the top was doing OK until the last little bit when they struck really hard rock. I think they've had to give up for the night. They'll continue with a diamond drill tomorrow.
Some of the families are getting very cross at the apparent stalling but others are saying it's still not safe to send in the rescue team.
The youngest one had just turned 17 the day before and he wasn't meant to be on shift until this week. But he was so keen to go in there that they let him go early and this is what happened that day.
The officials are still saying it's a rescue attempt - there's still hope. I don't think I agree with them.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 23 Nov 10 - 07:16 AM

I have a really bad feeling about it watching the Sky News coverage this morning in UK, I hope that I am wrong and they are rescued from the mine as soon as possible.

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: mouldy
Date: 23 Nov 10 - 12:38 PM

Believe me, it'll be PR spin. They have to say there's still hope, but there will be all sorts of hell, gas and water the other side of the blockage, and much as I so, so hope for a good result, my gut feeling is gainsaying it..

At the mine where my husband died, they were able to get some out right away, but due to flooding, it was 3 weeks before they got the last 2 men out. There were 110 killed in that one.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: Little Robyn
Date: 23 Nov 10 - 02:00 PM

The first robot started up again but it's now out of battery, I hear.
A second one seems to be moving in at the moment but a third is on it's way from Australia. Some have wheels and some have tracks - if they meet with rubble, the wheels might not work so well.....
Some relatives were upset that the press was releasing info that they hadn't heard yet so there won't be a press conference this morning until after the families have all been updated.
The hope is that some men might have been working around a corner so the blast might not have hurt them so much (the map looks like a rabbit warren) but the force of the blast coming out of the mine from 2km down the tunnel was certainly strong enough to knock you over. I can't imagine what it might have been like in an enclosed space.
It's coming up to 8:00 on Wednesday morning and the various rescue teams are up and working, tho' some people will have been working throughout the night.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: gnu
Date: 23 Nov 10 - 02:23 PM

There's still hope. It must be unbelievably frustrating for all involved not to be able to get rescuers in there.

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: GUEST,MG
Date: 23 Nov 10 - 02:40 PM

wHen I checked a few minutes ago it did not sound like too much hope was left...although there is always some. This is the price of coal and it is too high. mg

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: gnu
Date: 23 Nov 10 - 02:58 PM

There's always hope. There has to be.

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: Gurney
Date: 23 Nov 10 - 10:15 PM

The drill has broken into the mine, but at an awkward angle in the wall which may make it impossible for a camera to be lowered. They are starting another hole.
Samples show low levels of oxygen, high levels of Methane and Carbon Monoxide.

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: Little Robyn
Date: 23 Nov 10 - 11:25 PM

BOOM!!!
There has been a second explosion - a gas build-up.
The people who know about these things are saying there is now no hope.
Even if they survived the first blast, there's no way they could survive the second.

"Police have confirmed a second explosion in the Pike River mine, where 29 miners are trapped.

Superintendent Gary Knowles emerged from briefing miners' families, saying it is his belief that nobody could have survived the blast, which occurred at 2.37pm.

Some of the miners' relatives ran from the briefing in tears, pushing through the cordon of waiting journalists, NZPA reported.

The operation to locate the miners is no longer search and rescue, it is a search and recovery mission, Mr Knowles said.

Mr Knowles, who was at the mine when it exploded, says telling the families was the most tragic thing he has ever had to deal with in his life. He then broke down in tears.

"We had to break the news to the family and they are extremely distraught," he told reporters after the briefing.

"I was at the mine myself when the explosion occurred. The blast was horrific. Just as severe as the first blast - and we are now moving into a recovery mode."

This is breaking news, more to follow..."

Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: Janie
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 12:02 AM

Oh!

Half a world away, it is heartbreaking.

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: SqueezeMe
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 12:58 AM

114 years ago, a similar tragedy in another part of the same coalfield....

http://folksong.org.nz/down_brunner_mine/

Sad news indeed.

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: Ebbie
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 01:12 AM

It is heartbreaking.

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 02:16 AM

My heartfelt thoughts, go to all the families affected. Such a tragic losss of life.

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: mouldy
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 02:29 AM

My heart's with them. I've been down this road.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 03:31 AM

Those poor men and families, it is heartbreaking. Miners and all those people who do risky jobs I respect and admire all that they do.

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: I don't know
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 03:55 AM

It is so sad to hear this news. Heartbreaking for the friends & families. May the men who lost their lives REST IN PEACE.

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 06:19 AM

Heartbreaking is exactly the right word........A great human tragedy...........very sad. May the families some day find peace.

Always thinking of you at these times Andrea. Can't be easy......Much Love

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 06:57 AM

Hope turns to anger for miners' families

more stories & video on this page

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: vectis
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 04:32 PM

And the old Strongarm mine looks like it was on the same coal seam too and that went up in 1967 didn't it?

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 12:38 AM

Third explosion at Pike River mine posted 53 minutes ago -

There has been a third explosion at the Pike River coal mine in New Zealand, where 29 men are presumed dead underground.

The blast, which reportedly lasted for around 23 seconds, is said to have happened shortly after 3:30pm (local time).

It comes just two days after a second violent explosion at the mine left no hope of survival for the men who had been trapped underground since last Friday.

A spokesman for the mine has been quoted as saying the blast was smaller than the previous two.

No-one was injured in the latest explosion, which was felt less than an hour after a minute's silence was held at the site to remember those killed.

Pike River Coal chairman John Dow says it will have no effect on the plans in place to recover the bodies.

The rescue and recovery effort has been repeatedly hampered by poisonous gases and the threat of underground explosions.

Among those killed were two Australian men from Queensland - William Joynson, 49, and Joshua Ufer, 25.

The miners were declared dead on Wednesday afternoon after a second massive explosion tore through the underground tunnels.

Overnight a robot went 1.5 kilometres into the mine and observed the damage from the second blast.

Pike River chief executive Peter Whittall says the robot was blocked from going further into the mine by debris from the blast.

He says footage from the robot, in combination with accounts from the survivors of the original blast, indicate the second explosion was much more powerful.

"Given my humble opinion that it subjectively looked [like a] lot more violence, and the evidence around the portal and the shaft was such that it was and the video footage we've got would indicate that it was a much more violent blast," he said.

Mr Whittall has again said the levels of gas in the mine remain dangerous and it could take one to two weeks for the bodies of the miners to be recovered.

But he says a machine to help neutralise the poisonous gases in the mine has arrived from Australia and is on its way to the site.

The town of Greymouth is preparing for a national memorial service to take place next Thursday.

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 12:41 AM

Vectis -

Factbox: Mining accidents, disasters and escapes
The country's most recent mining disaster took place in 1967, when an explosion in the Strongman mine killed 19 miners.

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: Little Robyn
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 06:34 AM

Not sure if this link will work or for how long but one of our poets has written a poem for the youngest miner. It should be here:
Gary McCormick's poem.

Very moving. The kid wasn't due to start until the following Monday.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: New Zealand mine explosion
From: I don't know
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 07:31 AM

Just watched the video - very moving - shed a tear.