Man arrested at Pike River mine

The Pike River mine. Photo / Mark Mitchell

West Coast police have arrested a man who was found at the Pike River mine by security staff.

The 38-year-old Dunedin man was found inside the mine's bath house on Tuesday.

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.

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.

It's not known whether the man was related to any of the Pike River mine victims.

- NZ Herald staff