From one tragey to another at the Pike River mine...
December 16th 2010 23:27
Link: huttriver.blog.co.uk
From one tragedy to another at the Pike River mine...
:
By Peter Petterson
First published at Qondio:
Nearly a month ago an explosion in the Pike River coalmine near Greymouth on the West Coast of New Zealand left twenty nine miners and contractors trapped within the mine.
For days New Zealand's three television networks regularly gave updates on the situation at Pike River. Family members, company representatives, local and central government members and the local police commander were interviewed. The Prime Minister, John key and his ministers were televised in Greymouth.
Some people were critical that no rescue had been undertaken, but the poison gases in the mine continued to prevent a rescue. Many believed the men underground were already dead. There was a lot of emotion expressed and pain evident.
Two robots from the NZ Defence Force were sent in, but broke down. Another was sent from Australia, who also sent saftey experts over to New Zealand within a couple of days.
There was a second explosion in the Pike River mine. Hope that they would be rescued alive evaporated. Search and rescue become search and recovery!
Then there was a third and a fourth explosion in the mine. But the build-up, firstly of methane, ethane and carbon monoxide gases, and then fire within the mine prevented any hope of rescue. A jet engine known as a GAG was sent from Australia to help put the fire out in the mine. The fire continues a month later.
A national memorial service was held at the Omoto Racecourse in Greymouth, and was attended by family members, friends, Greymouth residents, dignatories, including the Governor General and Prime Minister, and thousands of mourners.
A few days later another service was held over the mountains in Christchurch City at the Christchurch Cathedral there - a city ravaged by a 7.1 earthquake just a few months ago, ironically without loss of life, but which has caused one of the most expensive natural acts of destruction anywhere in the world. It has been estimated at a total cost, including rebuilding, of NZ$5 billion dollars.
Those who attended the memorial service from Greymouth, appreciated the significance, in this ravaged city. There has always been a sense of closeness between the people of the plains, and the little West Coast coalmining town.
But the shocking news from Greymouth within the last few days, that there is no likeleyhood of a recovery of the 29 miners and contractors lying dead and alone in the depths of the Pike River mine, and also that the mining company had gone financially belly up and was put into receivership, with the result that most of the remaining workforce were made redundant immediately. Hopefully there are sufficient funds to pay the miners their entitlements; but the contractors employed there would possibly have to join the queue of creditors.
It is going to be a sad Christmas at Greymouth and elsewhere on the West Coast, and in Australia, Britain and South Africa, this year, and even sadder in the New Year when the effects on the future of their economy is fully realised.
Of the lost 29 miners and contractors, 24 are New Zealanders, two are Australians,two from Scotland and one from South Africa. Rest IN Peace.
And so until next year when the causes and events of the last month at the Pike River coalmine will become subject to a number of enquiries, including a government ordered Royal Commission of Enquiry.
Just what were the problems at Pike River: systemic, equipment failures, safety factors or the human component?
The souls of the dead twenty nine miners and contractors, including a 17 year old youth on his first day at work, and a 62 year old veteran a couple of years short of retirement, cry out for answers - their families, friends and workmates are entitled to know, and the wider New Zealand community demands an answer. And answers will be forthcoming, I'm sure.
One should credit the help and support of our Australian cousins. They provided necessary technical support that was unavailable in NZ.
Hope reigns eternal. RIP.
:
By Peter Petterson
First published at Qondio:
Nearly a month ago an explosion in the Pike River coalmine near Greymouth on the West Coast of New Zealand left twenty nine miners and contractors trapped within the mine.
For days New Zealand's three television networks regularly gave updates on the situation at Pike River. Family members, company representatives, local and central government members and the local police commander were interviewed. The Prime Minister, John key and his ministers were televised in Greymouth.
Some people were critical that no rescue had been undertaken, but the poison gases in the mine continued to prevent a rescue. Many believed the men underground were already dead. There was a lot of emotion expressed and pain evident.
Two robots from the NZ Defence Force were sent in, but broke down. Another was sent from Australia, who also sent saftey experts over to New Zealand within a couple of days.
There was a second explosion in the Pike River mine. Hope that they would be rescued alive evaporated. Search and rescue become search and recovery!
Then there was a third and a fourth explosion in the mine. But the build-up, firstly of methane, ethane and carbon monoxide gases, and then fire within the mine prevented any hope of rescue. A jet engine known as a GAG was sent from Australia to help put the fire out in the mine. The fire continues a month later.
A national memorial service was held at the Omoto Racecourse in Greymouth, and was attended by family members, friends, Greymouth residents, dignatories, including the Governor General and Prime Minister, and thousands of mourners.
A few days later another service was held over the mountains in Christchurch City at the Christchurch Cathedral there - a city ravaged by a 7.1 earthquake just a few months ago, ironically without loss of life, but which has caused one of the most expensive natural acts of destruction anywhere in the world. It has been estimated at a total cost, including rebuilding, of NZ$5 billion dollars.
Those who attended the memorial service from Greymouth, appreciated the significance, in this ravaged city. There has always been a sense of closeness between the people of the plains, and the little West Coast coalmining town.
But the shocking news from Greymouth within the last few days, that there is no likeleyhood of a recovery of the 29 miners and contractors lying dead and alone in the depths of the Pike River mine, and also that the mining company had gone financially belly up and was put into receivership, with the result that most of the remaining workforce were made redundant immediately. Hopefully there are sufficient funds to pay the miners their entitlements; but the contractors employed there would possibly have to join the queue of creditors.
It is going to be a sad Christmas at Greymouth and elsewhere on the West Coast, and in Australia, Britain and South Africa, this year, and even sadder in the New Year when the effects on the future of their economy is fully realised.
Of the lost 29 miners and contractors, 24 are New Zealanders, two are Australians,two from Scotland and one from South Africa. Rest IN Peace.
And so until next year when the causes and events of the last month at the Pike River coalmine will become subject to a number of enquiries, including a government ordered Royal Commission of Enquiry.
Just what were the problems at Pike River: systemic, equipment failures, safety factors or the human component?
The souls of the dead twenty nine miners and contractors, including a 17 year old youth on his first day at work, and a 62 year old veteran a couple of years short of retirement, cry out for answers - their families, friends and workmates are entitled to know, and the wider New Zealand community demands an answer. And answers will be forthcoming, I'm sure.
One should credit the help and support of our Australian cousins. They provided necessary technical support that was unavailable in NZ.
hope reigns eternal
Hope reigns eternal. RIP.
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