36 NZ coal miners missing

[kiwigeo]

4.30pm today there was a gas explosion at the Pike River Coal Mine on the West Coast of New Zealand. 36 miners not accounted for and there are reports of a long rescue operation.

'Rescue efforts could take days' - national | Stuff.co.nz (http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4365223/Rescue-for-trapped-West-Coast-miners-could-take-days)

[Manuka Jock]

Geo , here is a live update site

Latest updates: Pike River mine explosion - National - NZ Herald News (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10688759)

[kiwigeo]

Thanks MJ. I'm actually in Christchurch right now and have the local radio on with updates. Cool day here after yesterdays scorcher, guess it's a bit cool down your way too?

Cheers Martin

[tea lady]

:oo::C

[seanz]

Pike River : Ten Years in the Making (http://www.pike.co.nz/ten_years_in_the_making.php)

Pike River Tunnel Reaches Hawera Fault | Scoop News (http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0805/S00629.htm)

A couple of links for those that are interested, not a very old mine. Interesting construction, not that I know much about underground work.
Fingers crossed.

[kiwigeo]

Number of miners revised to 29 since my first post. As of Sunday afternoon rescue teams are still delaying going into the mine due to risk of gas and further explosions. I believe a 6" diameter hole is being drilled from above the main drive to assist in evaluating gas levels.

The Aussies have sent over some mine rescue experts and equipment....thanks mates. :2tsup:

[AlexS]

Our thoughts are with them.

[crowie]

YES, lets hope and pray that we have another mine miracle with all surviving; plus that the rescue efforst are able to happen very soon.

[artme]

Not a good thing to happen!!

I know that people are being positive but things really don't look good. I just hope that all turns out well.

Of course my thoiughts are with our Kiwiw mates, especially the families of those trapped miners.

[Manuka Jock]

As at 5.15pm Monday NZ time


A laser camera inserted into a bore hole at the Pike River coal mine could soon reveal the first images of the spot where miners are thought to be trapped.
Twenty-nine workers are missing inside the mine after an explosion on Friday.
High gas levels have made it too dangerous for rescue crews to enter the shaft.
A hole being drilled 162 metres into the ground at the place where the men were working is expected to be completed on Monday. Rescuers then plan to insert laser-imaging equipment into the bore hole.
Air samples will also be taken to give a clearer idea of gas levels in the mine.
Pike River Coal Mine chief executive Peter Whithall says the last 10 metres of the hole will be bored using a diamond drill bit to avoid sparks that could ignite methane gas inside the mine.
Officials say the mine remains too dangerous for rescue teams to enter.
Rescue teams are still waiting to begin their search but officials on Monday said high levels of volatile toxic gases make it too dangerous still to enter the mine.
Rescue workers are also planning to send a Defence Force robot into the mine shaft. Extra cable is coming from an Australian mining company to extend the robot's reach, and it is being modified so it does not give off sparks and cause another explosion.
The Defence Force says the robot is used for the disposal of improvised explosive devices. The automated robot will be sent into the mine when it is safe.
　
There has been no communication with the miners and contractors at the horizontal mine at Atarau, near Greymouth, since a methane gas explosion cut power and blew out ventilation fans at 3.45pm on Friday.
The men are believed to be trapped about 2km along the Pike River Coal mine tunnel burrowed in rugged mountains and bush and 150 metres below the surface.
Families of the workers have expressed frustration and are anxious for a rescue mission to begin.
Once drillers get through to what they hope will be a space in the mine, they will be able to put fibre optic cable down or a camera and take air samples.
Pike River Coal says the Department of Conservation has agreed to a 2.7km track being cut into the land to allow a walking access to the damaged ventillation shaft.
This will enable more air samples to be taken, and a tube will be put along the length of the track to take air samples directly to a testing site at the mine. The bore hole will also allow rescuers to hear anyone talking.
Testing on Sunday showed the gas levels were generally declining but fluctuating, and there is still a risk of another explosion.
Pike River Coal chairman John Dow said there has definitely been a fire of some sort in the mine, but it is not clear if it is still burning.
The situation is being investigated by analysing gases from the mine. Mr Dow says high levels of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are still being found



Drilling down to the mine shaft 135m in so far .

[wheelinround]

Having come from a mining family in the north of England, I sympathise with those above ground. My Father Grandfather and uncle where all trapped, but only for a short period back in the 50's. No sooner had dust settled and teams of men either side were digging by hand to retrieve those trapped.


My they soon find news from down the pit.

[cultana]

Firstly and foremost my thoughts go to the families of the miners.
I know how my wife reacted when Appin blew not to mention the night I came home part way into my shift covered in coal dust and a huge bandage from an accident at the pit.

A couple of things that has me a bit perplexed with this.
1. Where exactly did this explosion take place? Was it in the access shaft at the fault zone or further inbye?

2. Every picture I have seen of the insides of this mine and these were portrayed to be in the coal area it is black. Ok I know they are mining coal and coal is black but from my past experience working in the Aust coal fields we use to spray limestone powder about in thick quantities. This was to reduce the effect of a methane and coal dust explosion; it diluted the coal dust whipped up when an explosion took place.

3. What I have seen of the mine plan via a NZ paper it appears somewhat convoluted re ventilation hence a return airway issues.

Just thoughts.

[Manuka Jock]

At this stage they have no idea where exactly the explosion too place .

Of the two blokes who walked out , one was in 1.7km and the other , who was blown of the digger , was closer to the tunnel entrance
It took them about two hours to get out.

The rest were working past the 2km mark .

[cultana]

Thanks.
Seems from other readings it is fresh air almost up to the fault.
It is a pity no real detail is coming out, but I fear it would not be pleasant to read.

[Manuka Jock]

'''' Drilling will be slowed during the last 10m, and a diamond drill bit used, to minimise the risk of sparks and another explosion.
Pike chairman John Dow said earlier today that the switch from open-hole drilling to a diamond-tipped drill was to minimise the chances of the drill igniting sparks.
"The drilling that is going on at the moment is a rotary, it's a grinding progress and could cause sparks at the bottom of the hole.
"The diamond drilling cuts through rock without causing sparks at the bottom of the hole. It's just a common sense safety procedure," Dow said.
"It's possible that the air coming up the tunnel is bypassing and going up the shaft and diluting the readings we are getting up the shaft at the moment. We need to go away from that area to where the men are."
Work will continue around the clock to complete the last few metres of drilling.'''

Blast fears slow drilling - National - NZ Herald News (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10689339)

[Manuka Jock]

From the looks of these old pics of the Pike River mine , they have been spraying something around the shaft wall .
Lime ?

[cultana]

That looks more like cement sprayed on the sides and roof/back.

I saw the video they released, the one showing the tunnel entrance and the explosion. Going by that and the mine plan they also showed, sorry.:no:

I feel deeply for the families here. Anyone who has worked in underground coal would understand.

I just hope they get the recovery completed quickly and give the families closure on this.

[Manuka Jock]

Peter Whittall was saying that the dust that blew out of the portal in that cctv video was from the pulverised white stone dust that is used for fire suppression on the walls . He didn't say what type of stone it was.

Your blokes over Perth way are sending a bigger and better robot over . And the Yanks have one on standby too .

Thanks guys .

[damian]

Firstly and foremost my thoughts go to the families of the miners.
I know how my wife reacted when Appin blew not to mention the night I came home part way into my shift covered in coal dust and a huge bandage from an accident at the pit.


Was that when Mick Kelly was there ? I used to work for him.

I've been down Appin, pulling instrumentaton out of the chocks years ago.

It's a pity the media are so hopeless explaining the situation, all teh armchair experts wondering why the gas levels are stopping rescuers going in. They are gradually pointing out it's explosion not breathing that's the problem, but the reports are hopeless.

I saw a report that the survival area was deserted. Not good.

[kiwigeo]

They are gradually pointing out it's explosion not breathing that's the problem, but the reports are hopeless.



Explosion risk and breathing are both issues. There are still high levels of methane and also other gases such as carbon monoxide in the mine. There is still combustion going on somewhere in the mine.

[kiwigeo]

A couple of things that has me a bit perplexed with this.
1. Where exactly did this explosion take place? Was it in the access shaft at the fault zone or further inbye?

2. Every picture I have seen of the insides of this mine and these were portrayed to be in the coal area it is black. Ok I know they are mining coal and coal is black but from my past experience working in the Aust coal fields we use to spray limestone powder about in thick quantities. This was to reduce the effect of a methane and coal dust explosion; it diluted the coal dust whipped up when an explosion took place.

3. What I have seen of the mine plan via a NZ paper it appears somewhat convoluted re ventilation hence a return airway issues.

Just thoughts.

1. The explosion appears to have occured a fair way into the mine. The access shaft runs for roughly 2km on an upwards gradient to the first workings. The access shaft runs through granite until it crosses the Hawera Fault where the granites are faulted against a younger sedimentary section that contains the target Brunner Coal Measures. From the maps and cross sections I've seen and my recollection of the geology of this part of the Paparoa Ranges the fault is crossed near the end of the access shaft. It is at this point or somewhere deeper on in the workings that the explosion most likely occurred. The Hawera Fault would have a significant fracture zone associated with it and its possible for methane to migrate along such fractures. However its also just as likely that the explosion was sourced from methane contained within the Brunner Coal measures themselves.

2. From the plans of the mine the ventilation system appears to consist of the access drive and a single vertical air return shaft located at the first workings.

3. See here for a useful paper (PDF format) on the design of the Pike River Mine: http://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1042&context=coal

Cheers Martin

[Manuka Jock]

News has just come in from TVNZ 1 that there has been a second explosion at the mine and all 29 men are thought to be dead .

[Groggy]

That's sad news indeed for our Kiwi cousins and the Queensland families. :(

[kiwigeo]

News has just come in from TVNZ 1 that there has been a second explosion at the mine and all 29 men are thought to be dead .

Yep confirmed on other news sites.

[Manuka Jock]

That's sad news indeed for our Kiwi cousins and the Queensland families. :(

Aye Groggy , it is .
There are two lads from Scotland and one from South Africa down there too .

Old mates from all over eh

[munruben]

News has just come in from TVNZ 1 that there has been a second explosion at the mine and all 29 men are thought to be dead .That's terrible news.

[mic-d]

Condolences to all the families and the Greymouth community.

Michael

[seanz]

I heard the PM on the radio and he thanked Australia for the help that was sent.

[artme]

Terrible news indeed. My sympathies to all the families and the Greymouth community.

[dai sensei]

Horrible news :C

[wheelinround]

:C:C May they all be free from stoking Hells fire

[cultana]

Condolences to the families and community.

I hope the bodies are recovered quickly and the families can have some form of closure on this tragic event.



One wish I do have and that is the mine is not sealed till this recovery takes place.
I suspect that due to what has and properly is occurring underground the only solution will be to fully seal the mine to put out any fires and hot spots.

May God be with them all.

[Bob38S]

Sympathies to all concerned - possibly made harder in light of the other highly visible successful rescues in Tasmania and Chile.

[fenderbelly]

I had this sent to me today and would like to share it

THE MEN OF PIKE



They came from near and far away
The men of Pike to work that day
The afternoon shift way down deep
Beneath the mountains oh so steep
A long way in but further out
The afternoon shift sets about
A job not flash but hard and trying
A job that holds the risk of dying


From seventeen to sixty two
They start their shift to see it through
For one his first, for all their last
How could they know there'd be a blast?
For all at once no siren whining
Suddenly the worst in mining
Dust and rubble fill the air
A loader driver thrown clear
Just one other finds the light
The rest are hidden from our sight


And so we learn as news is spread
The news that mining families dread
It's up at Pike there's an explosion
Faces drop and hearts are frozen
Who, how many, where and why ----
Will they make it ---- will they die


Fathers, husbands, brothers, sons
Coasters, Kiwis, Aussies, Poms
Mates and friends who we are seeking
Methane gas from coal seams leaking
Vents exploded, phones unheeded
Level heads and strength are needed
The world above unites as one
To bring the missing to the sun


Rescue teams are standing by
As holes are drilled and experts try
To find a way that's safe and sound
To rescue those beneath the ground
Could robots work where men are mortal
To pierce the dangers of that portal
But alas all effort fails
The darkness of the mine prevails


A second blast of rock and thunder
Hope and prayers are rent asunder
A nation weeps and Coasters mourn
Pike falls silent, dark, forlorn
A hole remains within the ground
Devoid of joy, of life, of sound


Another hole within the heart
Of those forever set apart
From those they loved who went to toil
Digging coal beneath the soil
Those who gave their lives that day
To work a shift for honest pay
They wait at rest within their mine
The men of Pike, the Twenty Nine



Sean Plunket