Mine safety compared to China's

Wanganui-based mine safety consultant David Feickert says New Zealand's mines should, in theory, be safer than China's, but Pike River has disproved that notion.

Last week, Mr Feickert returned to China, where he advises the Chinese Government on mining safety.

His current project addresses lung diseases caused by the inhalation of dust created by the mining process.

Mr Feickert said New Zealand's large mines should have been much safer than those in China, because it was a developing country.

"Sadly, the Pike River tragedy showed us all that our safety legislation and practice was ... very weak and must be changed."

His comments come after the release of the royal commission's damning report into Pike River.

Mr Feickert is one of three internationally recognised mining experts who have been asked by the families of the 29 dead miners to determine if a recovery operation is feasible.

Earlier this month, former UK mine inspector Bob Stevenson, British mining engineer David Creedy and Mr Feickert spent five days in Greymouth reviewing the findings of the royal commission's report and plans to recover the miners' bodies. They concluded the area where the men died could be reached.

Mr Feickert said he hoped the mine's new owner, Solid Energy, and the Government would respond positively to the trio's body-retrieval plan.

"We cannot go into detail at this point, as we have agreed to discuss the plan with the company and its external experts."

But Mr Feickert said once he and his colleagues, Solid Energy and the Mines Rescue Service agreed on a plan, the families would be in a position to seek financial support from the Government to implement it.