As a new machine arrives to help recovery efforts at Pike River, receivers say they may not be able to claim a full $100m insurance payout to reimburse creditors of Pike River Coal.

The Govt is considering fast tracking the expansion of coal mining operations on the West Coast.

The Government has agreed to work on an economic stimulus package for the West Coast.

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

Pike River Coal's board is to meet tomorrow to talk about options for the company's future.

Pike River Coal says all its staff are being kept on full pay, with some being reassigned to jobs including helping out at the mine site

Dairy prices have slipped at Fonterra's overnight online auction, with the globalDairyTrade index down 2.5 per cent.

Monitoring gear developed in New Zealand is being used to help doctors assess the vital signs of the miners trapped in the Chilean mine.

A local biotech firm is set to use its patented microbe technology in China.

Despite environmental concerns persisting, local MPs are hopeful mining in Northland and on the West Coast will boost jobs.

The Govt this morning withdrew its proposal to open up more than 7000ha of conservation land to prospecting and mining.

The Govt will today scrap hugely controversial plans to mine some of the country's most pristine conservation land.