Still a future for West Coast mining, says Pike chair

Left Pike River chief executive Peter Whittall and chairman John Dow. Photo / Mark Mitchell

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, a day after it was confirmed their colleagues had been killed in the underground blast.

Company chairman John Dow said this morning it was important that staff were kept busy and engaged and felt like they were contributing to the process.

"The ones that would otherwise be working underground have been stood down on full pay and we have invited them to volunteer and come and help with the many other activities that we need to keep the operation running in these circumstances.

"They are not jobs you normally employ people for, but jobs that need to be done like manning the cordons," he said.

Dow would not be drawn on the future of the mine, saying the company's first priority was the welfare of those families affected.

However he told TVNZ this morning that he believed coal mining still had a place on the Coast.

Chief executive Peter Whittall said staff had been told that wages and salaries would be secure until the New Year.

"They all want to come to work and they are all volunteering and saying what can I do," said Whittall. " I got mobbed yesterday by guys saying how come you haven't rung me, I want to come to work."

Pike River had 180 staff on its payroll.

West Coast-Tasman MP Chris Auchinvole said he hoped the mine would reopen as soon as it was appropriate.

He said the coal seam was still a viable source of income for the area.

"The coal seam is still there. Coal is extremely valuable and the Pike River mine is a $300 million-plus investment."

Auchinvole would not speculate on when the mine would be operational again.

He stopped short of promising it would reopen at all if all the bodies could not be recovered.

But he hoped the families of the victims would have a say in when the mine opened again for business.

"I don't doubt for a moment that the company will take into account the family aspect. That information will be paramount."

Birchfield Ross Mining founder Evan Birchfield operates several mines on the West Coast, including an open cut coal mine 15kms from the Pike River mine.

Speaking two days ago, he said there did not need to be more restrictions on West Coast mining in the wake of the Pike River blast.

"It's a big industry on the West Coast. It keeps a lot of people employed. It keeps a lot of towns alive.

"Because of coal mining we haven't seen the recession. I don't think this will turn people against us."

Several of his employees were scheduled to do work at Pike River mine this week and expected to receive a lengthy safety briefing.

He did not expect there to be regulatory changes to the mining industry as a result of the explosion.

"Pike River were very safety orientated. I don't think it's going to change things, " he said.

State owned coal mining company Solid Energy has also announced this morning that it has suspended its underground operations at nearby Spring Creek Mine and Huntly East Mine, in the Waikato, as a mark of respect for the 29 Pike River miners and their families.

Solid Energy chief executive Don Elder said that everyone at Solid Energy was devastated by the tragedy.

"We extend our deepest sympathy and support for the miners' families and for all our colleagues and communities on the West Coast," Elder said.

Both mines will resume operations tomorrow morning. However the offices of both operations would remain open as a place for staff to gather with colleagues.

A number of specialist Solid Energy staff, who are members of the Mines Rescue Service, were involved in supporting activities on the West Coast, he said.

The Council of Trade Unions has also paid tribute to the miners and said it would support any inquiry into the tragedy.

"We join with the whole of the country in expressing our sorrow for all those affected by this tragedy".

"We express our despair at the continued high level of workplace injury and death in this country, and vow to continue fighting for improved health and safety practice in New Zealand workplaces."

Prime Minister John Key has indicated a commission of inquiry may be held into the deaths of the 29 miners, while police, the Department of Labour and the coroner will all examine what went wrong.

- NZ HERALD STAFF