Pike River Mine disaster

Pike River Mine disaster
Pike River Mine
Pike River Mine (New Zealand)
Date 19 November 2010 (2010-11-19)
Time 3:44 pm NZDT
(0244 UTC)
Location Pike River Mine
Greymouth, New Zealand
Also known as Operation Pike
Reported injuries 2
Reported death(s) 29
Inquiries Royal Commission[1]
Website Pike River Royal Commission

The Pike River Mine disaster was a coal mining accident that began on 19 November 2010 in the Pike River Mine, 46 kilometres (29 mi) northeast of Greymouth, in the West Coast Region of New Zealand's South Island. A first explosion occurred in the mine at approximately 3:44 pm (NZDT, UTC+13). At the time of the explosion 31 miners and contractors were present in the mine. Two miners managed to walk from the mine; they were treated for moderate injuries and released from hospital the next day. The remaining 16 miners and 13 contractors[2] were believed to be at least 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) from the mine's entrance.[3]

Following a second explosion on 24 November at 2:37 pm, the 29 remaining men were believed by police to be dead.[4] Police Superintendent Gary Knowles, officer in command of the rescue operation (Operation Pike) said he believed that "based on that explosion, no one survived".[5] A third explosion occurred at 3:39 pm on 26 November 2010,[6] and a fourth explosion occurred just before 2 pm on 28 November 2010.[7]

The Pike River Mine incident ranks as New Zealand's worst mining disaster since 43 men died at Ralph's Mine in Huntly in 1914. It also resulted in the country's worst loss of life caused by a single disaster since the 1979 crash of Air New Zealand Flight 901, although this was surpassed four months later by the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake.[8]

Contents

Accident and response

Explosions

The first explosion is believed to have occurred at around 3:44 pm on 19 November 2010. Two miners managed to walk from the mine later the same day,[9][10] having been in the access tunnel, or just off it, some distance from the source of the explosion. Both were taken to Greymouth Hospital suffering moderate injuries.

Initial media reports were unclear as to the number of miners and contractors remaining within the mine, with various numbers between 25 and 33 being mentioned.[11] It was eventually ascertained that there were 16 miners and 13 contractors trapped.[12] The names of the missing workers were released on 21 November.[13]

Mine officials noted that every worker carried a self-rescue device providing 30 minutes of air, and fresh air bases were provided within the mine for them to escape to in the event of an emergency;[14] however, the refuges were empty and there was no evidence of miners attempting to reach them.[15] When a borehole was drilled into the area where the miners were thought to be, a level of 95% methane was found, with the remainder primarily carbon monoxide. It appeared there was little chance that any of the miners who may have survived the blast could still be alive.[15] Although families had held out hope that some of the miners may have survived, it was believed by the rescue team that all had been killed by the initial explosion.[15] The mine had not collapsed and air was blowing freely throughout the tunnels indicating that there were no obstructions to survivors leaving the mine or indicating their presence by tapping on pipes or calling for help.[15]

A second explosion occurred at 2:37 pm on 24 November 2010. Police Superintendent Gary Knowles stated that he believed no one could have survived.[16] According to the CEO of the Pike River mine, Peter Whittall, the explosion was not caused by anybody working in or around the mine.[17] The second explosion sent smoke, soot and explosive gases up a mine shaft where a team of rescue staff had been taking samples; the noise of the rising explosion provided them enough warning to get clear, evacuating the area on foot.[18]

A third explosion occurred at 3:39 pm 26 November; it appeared to be smaller than the first two.[19] A fourth significant explosion ignited the coal within the mine; the subsequent fire was visible above the ventilation shaft; the steel structure above the shaft was damaged and neighbouring scrub set alight.[20] The fire appeared to be located near the bottom of the shaft, burning either loose coal or the seam itself, and considerably complicated efforts to stabilise the mine and made recovery of "intact" bodies unlikely.[21]

Gas monitoring

The initial explosion damaged the mine's gas drainage line, causing methane gas to begin accumulating in the mine immediately. As there may have been a potential ignition source, it was too dangerous for rescuers to enter the mine.[22]

It was originally predicted to take several days before the mine was safe enough for rescuers to enter,[23][24][25][26] as the gases inside were feared to be explosive. Initially testing at the mine ventilation shaft was hindered by heavy clouds, preventing helicopter access, and staff were going to have to walk in over rough terrain, as the shaft does not have road access.[27]

Seismic equipment was attached to tubes at the tunnel mouth to detect movement in the mine.[28]

With tests still not giving clearance for rescuers to enter the mine, an attempt was made to enter the mine using a bomb disposal robot provided by the New Zealand Defence Force. The robot failed only 550 metres (1,800 ft) into the mine due to water ingress. Sources noted that while the robot was capable of operating in rain, it had "effectively [been] hit by a waterfall", short-circuiting it.[29][30] A second NZDF bomb disposal robot was placed on stand-by to enter. This robot had been fitted with extra batteries and other equipment to try to avoid the problems which hit the first robot. It was later deployed,[29][30] and the first robot was later restarted.[31] The robots entered the mine on the 23 and 24 of November, while a third, from Australia, was en route to the site.[31] The use of three robots was unprecedented in mine rescue.[32] The use of United States mining rescue/exploration robots was also being considered[33] though the second explosion later that day effectively ended the robot efforts.

Early on 24 November it was reported that a drill started from above the horizontal mine [34] had reached to the mine chamber, releasing hot gas. Later in the day it was reported analysis showed 95% methane.[35] A camera, inserted into a safe haven in the mine, found no evidence of human activity.[36]

Rescue response

In accordance with the protocols established in New Zealand's Coordinated Incident Management System, the emergency response was led by New Zealand Police - in this case Superintendent Gary Knowles, District Commander of the Tasman region. In addition to police, "Operation Pike" involved staff and management from Pike River Coal Ltd, the company operating the mine (represented at media and family conferences by CEO Peter Whittall), mine rescue experts from New Zealand and Australia, the Red Cross, ambulance services, the New Zealand Defence Force, and the Fire Service.[20][37] The recovery phase was led by Inspector Mark Harrison, with Knowles in charge overall.[38]

A welfare centre was set up at the Red Cross Hall in Greymouth for the families of the trapped men. Police encouraged families to use this centre rather than trying to reach the mine's access road, which was closed to everyone except emergency services.[39] After several days of delays in entering the mine, some locals expressed anger at what they considered the undue cautiousness of the rescue teams, noting that in historical accidents the rescue efforts were undertaken by fellow miners.[40] In response to the continued criticism from various media and local families for their refusal to send rescuers into the mine, Trevor Watts, leader of the Mines Rescue, explained the team's belief that any rescuers would have also been killed given the conditions within the mine.[22] Their cautious approach was supported by many international mine rescue experts.[41]

Both the Australian and New Zealand stock exchanges placed trading halts on Pike River Coal (PRC) shares following the first explosion to allow the company time to "provide the market with a detailed update."[42] PRC's largest shareholder New Zealand Oil & Gas, which owns 29.4%, was also placed on a trading halt for two days; upon reinstatement the shares lost 29% of their value.[43] PRC's shares were halted for 13 days. On 2 December, when New Zealand held a nationwide moment of silence, including at the stock exchange, PRC's suspension was inadvertently allowed to end and about 200,000 share trades were later invalidated.[44]

The first explosion was classified as a "highly, highly irregular event", and the New Zealand Prime Minister John Key immediately announced the government will hold an inquiry into its cause.[45] It was later announced that the government would appoint a Royal Commission of Inquiry. In addition, the police and the coroner shall conduct investigations - as required by law - as would the Department of Labour.[46] It is possible the police may lay charges.[46]

On 24 November at 9:00pm, a service was held at the Holy Trinity Church in Greymouth, where hundreds of people gathered to mourn the loss of the workers. People at the service included Peter Whittall (CEO of Pike River Coal Ltd) and Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn who delivered a message from Pope Benedict XVI, who said that he shared the anxiety of the miners' families and said that his prayers were with them.[47] Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand, sent to John Key a note expressing her condolences for the families of the deceased and calling the event a "national disaster",[48] and her grandson, Prince William, heir to the New Zealand throne, sent a similar message to Key.[49]

A number of countries worldwide expressed their condolences, including the United Kingdom, Australia[50] (where the Australian Parliament had a moments silence and flags were flown at half mast, in conjunction with New Zealand), and the United States.[51]

Recovery operation

A Gorniczy Agregat Gasniczy (GAG) unit from Queensland, accompanied by 16 crew from Queensland Mines Rescue Service, was brought in on 26 November 2010 by the RNZAF, to be used in an attempt to suppress the fires.[52][53] It was expected to take three days to assemble, and about five days for the fire-retardant emitted from the unit to fill the mine.[54]

On 10 December 2010, Police Commissioner Howard Broad said that the police intended to hand control of the recovery operation at the mine to the company.[55] On 13 January 2011, Howard Broad told a media conference that the recovery of the bodies of the miners would be halted as it was impractical and too unsafe. Responsibility for securing the mine would be left with the receivers of Pike River Coal.[56][57]

On 14 January 2011, the police announced that the mine had been sealed as it was too dangerous to continue efforts to retrieve the bodies of the missing miners and contractors.[58][59] On 17 January 2011, the receivers advised the police that their plan was to spend the next five to eight weeks stabilising the atmosphere in the mine and the underground heat sources. The plan did not include recovery of the bodies of the deceased miners.[60] On 17 January 2011, it was further confirmed that recovery of the bodies was unlikely.[61] On 9 March 2011, the receivers took control of the mine from the NZ Police.[62][63]

Identity of the victims

The 29 men ranged in age from 17 to 62.[64] The youngest, Joseph Dunbar, was on his first shift underground after celebrating his 17th birthday the previous day. Dunbar had been due to start work at the mine on 22 November but had convinced management to allow him to start on the 19th.[65] Out of the 29, 24 were New Zealanders, two were Scottish, two were Australian, and one was South African.[66] The 24 New Zealanders were predominantly West Coasters, though they also include one Southlander. The victims included, among others, Grey District Councillor Milton Osborne and two West Coast representative sportsmen, South Island rugby league player Blair Sims and West Coast Rugby Union player Michael Monk.[67] One of the trapped miners, Benjamin Rockhouse, was the brother of survivor Daniel Rockhouse, one of the two men who walked clear of the mine after the initial explosion.[68]

Royal Commission

John Key announced that a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the disaster would be established and that it would be led by Justice Graham Panckhurst.[69][70] Unionist Matt McCarten criticised the composition of the Commission on the grounds that it should have at least one union member, which government had refused, arguing that including union members would risk bias.[71] On 13 December 2010, Attorney-General Chris Finlayson announced the names of the two people to join Judge Pankhurst on the Royal Commission of Inquiry: Stewart Bell, the Queensland State Government Commissioner for Mine Safety and Health; and David Henry, formerly Inland Revenue Commissioner and Chief Executive of the Electoral Commission.[72] The Royal Commission is to report its findings by March 2012.[73]

Aftermath

See also: Economic aftermath of the Pike River Mine disaster

The New Zealand Warriors and Newcastle Knights will open their 2011 season schedule with a charity match to raise money for the West Coast region. In a joint partnership between the two teams, the NZRL and NRL, all money raised from the match will be divided between the Pike River mining relief fund and the West Coast Rugby League.[74] The teams will arrive on February 3 to carry out community appearances in the region.[75] The Crusaders have also announced that they will play their first home match of the 2011 Super Rugby season in the West Coast Rugby Union jersey. These will later be auctioned off to raise money for the Pike River mining relief fund.

On 17 March 2011, after attending a national memorial service for the earthquake in Christchurch, Prince William visited Greymouth and met with families affected by the disaster.[76]

On 27 June 2011, The Australian featured an article titled "Miners doomed by fatal flaws" which alleged that Peter Whittall had not ensured the Pike River Mine had installed safety measures common in Australia, but not legally required in New Zealand. The possible safety measures not used in the Pike River Mine were; a "tube bundling" gas measurement system, stocks of food and water, breathing apparatus, and a second entrance. Whittall has consistently maintained that safety standards were high.[77]

A former mine supervisor alleged that miners continued to work when the methane gas concentrations exceeded the threshold of 2 per cent. It is also alleged that the miners routinely blew compressed air over the methane alarms to prevent them from triggering.

See also

References

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