Pike River Mine disaster

The first explosion is believed to have occurred at around 3:44 pm on 19 November 2010. Methane may have accumulated in a void formed during earlier mining activities, then been expelled into the rest of the mine by a roof fall, or it may have accumulated directly in working areas of the mine. It is not known what sparked the explosion, but a working mine contains several possible ignition sources.{{cite book|last=Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy|title=Final Report|date=October 2012|location=Wellington, New Zealand|isbn=978-0-477-10378-7 |url=http://pikeriver.royalcommission.govt.nz/Final-Report|page=14}} Two miners managed to walk from the mine later the same day,{{cite news|first=Marcia|last=Johnson |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10689244|title=Mine blast survivor: "I thought I was dead"|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |date=22 November 2010|access-date=24 November 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Full-interview-with-Russell-Smith/tabid/309/articleID/187266/Default.aspx|title=Full interview with Russell Smith|publisher=3 News |access-date=3 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929131648/http://www.3news.co.nz/Full-interview-with-Russell-Smith/tabid/309/articleID/187266/Default.aspx|archive-date=29 September 2012|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite news

|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/south-island/4368062/Timeline-Pike-River-mine-explosion|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130112115346/http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/south-island/4368062/Timeline-Pike-River-mine-explosion|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 January 2013|title=Timeline: Pike River mine explosion|newspaper=The Press |publisher=APN|date=21 November 2010|access-date=21 November 2010}} It was eventually ascertained that there were 16 miners and 13 contractors trapped.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11804617|title=New Zealand mine: Fears grow for trapped UK miners|publisher=BBC News |date=20 November 2010|access-date=21 November 2010}} The names of the missing workers were released on 21 November 2010.{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4369531/Identities-of-the-trapped-miners-revealed|title=Identities of the trapped miners revealed|work=Stuff |publisher=APN|date=21 November 2010|access-date=25 November 2010}}

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;{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/search-delayed-for-29-miners-trapped-in-the-pike-river-mine-in-new-zealand/story-e6freon6-1225957043262?from=public_rss|title=Search for 29 miners trapped in the Pike River mine in New Zealand to start|publisher=The Courier Mail|date=20 November 2010|access-date=24 November 2010}} however, the refuges were empty and there was no evidence of miners attempting to reach them. 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. 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. 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.Claire Harvey Never a Hope: This was not going to be Chile The Advertiser 28 November 2010 Pg 41–42 47–48

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.{{cite news|last=Perry|first=Michael|title=All 29 trapped New Zealand miners dead: police|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6AM75O20101124|work=Reuters|access-date=24 November 2010|date=24 November 2010}} According to the CEO of the Pike River mine, Peter Whittall, the explosion was not caused by anybody working in or around the mine.{{cite news|title=Pike River CEO Peter Whittall breaks news to families|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=11010545|newspaper=New Zealand Herald |date=24 November 2010|access-date=4 August 2015|issn=1170-0777}} 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.{{cite news |url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Men-had-to-run-like-hell-from-second-mining-explosion/tabid/423/articleID/188153/Default.aspx|title=Men had to "run like hell" from second mining explosion|date=26 November 2010 |publisher=3News|access-date=26 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929131838/http://www.3news.co.nz/Men-had-to-run-like-hell-from-second-mining-explosion/tabid/423/articleID/188153/Default.aspx|archive-date=29 September 2012|url-status=dead}}

A third explosion occurred at 3:39 pm on 26 November 2010; it appeared to be smaller than the first two.{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10690279|title=Pike River: Third blast at mine – spokesperson|newspaper=New Zealand Herald |date=26 November 2010|access-date=26 November 2010}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://police.govt.nz/news/release/26186.html|title=Fourth explosion impacts recovery plans|date=28 November 2010|work=Press Release 28 November 2010 – 19:22|publisher=New Zealand Police|access-date=28 November 2010}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Fears-Pike-River-coal-seam-could-be-burning/tabid/423/articleID/188467/Default.aspx|title=Fears Pike River coal seam could be burning|last=Gower|first=Patrick|work=3 News|publisher=TV3|access-date=29 November 2010|archive-date=30 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930005621/http://www.3news.co.nz/Fears-Pike-River-coal-seam-could-be-burning/tabid/423/articleID/188467/Default.aspx|url-status=dead}}

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.{{cite news|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/mine-expert-first-explosion-ruptured-gas-line-3916367|title=Mine expert: First explosion ruptured gas line |newspaper=One News|publisher=TVNZ|date=25 November 2010|access-date=26 November 2010}}

It was originally predicted to take several days before the mine was safe enough for rescuers to enter,{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4365223/Rescue-for-trapped-West-Coast-miners-could-take-days|title=Rescue for trapped West Coast miners could take days|work=Stuff |date=19 November 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10688716|title=Rescue team yet to enter West Coast mine|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |date=19 November 2010}}{{cite web|title=NZ Mine Explosion|first=Geraldine|last=Doogue|url=http://www.abc.net.au/rn/saturdayextra/stories/2010/3071895.htm|work=ABC Radio National Saturday Extra|location=Australia |date=20 November 2010|access-date=20 November 2010}}{{cite web|title=Gas fears stalling mine rescue|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/20/3071866.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123031416/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/20/3071866.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 November 2010|publisher=ABC News |location=Australia|date=20 November 2010|access-date=20 November 2010}} as the gases inside were feared to be explosive. Initial 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.{{cite news|title=Mine blast: How the Pike River rescue will work|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10688901|access-date=20 November 2010|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |publisher=APN|date=20 November 2010|first1=Hamish|last1=Fletcher |first2=Peter|last2=Griffin}}

Seismic equipment was attached to tubes at the tunnel mouth to detect movement in the mine.{{cite news|title=Gas levels at mine remain toxic |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10689476 |newspaper=The New Zealand Herald | publisher = APN |date=23 November 2010|access-date=24 November 2010 |first1=Susie |last1=Nordqvist |first2=Paul |last2=Harper |first3=Jarrod |last3=Booker}}

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 (NZDF). The robot failed only {{cvt|550|m}} 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. 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,{{cite news|title=Robot broken in mine, relatives told|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10689488|access-date=23 November 2010|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |publisher=APN|date=23 November 2010|first=Jarrod|last=Booker}}{{cite news|title="Situation gets bleaker by the hour" – Broad|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10689557|access-date=23 November 2010|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |publisher=APN|date=23 November 2010 |first1=Jarrod|last1=Booker|first2=Michael|last2=Dickison|first3=Susie|last3=Nordqvist|first4=Paul|last4=Harper|first5=Hamish|last5=Fletcher}} and the first robot was later restarted.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/11/23/new.zealand.coal.mine/index.html?eref=rss_topstories&asid=bf75511a|title=Air samples dim hope in New Zealand mine rescue effort|publisher=CNN |date=23 November 2010|access-date=24 November 2010}} The robots entered the mine on 23 and 24 November 2010, while a third, from Australia, was en route to the site. The use of three robots was unprecedented in mine rescue.{{cite news|title=Robot mine footage released|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/pike-river-mine-explosion/4382433/Robot-mine-footage-released|access-date=5 August 2015 |newspaper=Stuff |publisher=APN|date=24 November 2010}} The use of United States mining rescue/exploration robots was also being considered{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/hopes-fading-for-29-trapped-miners-as-robot-breaks-down-at-pike-river-coal-mine/story-e6frg6so-1225959088808|title=Hopes fading for 29 trapped miners as robot breaks down at Pike River coal mine|newspaper=The Australian|publisher=News Limited|date=23 November 2010|access-date=24 November 2010}} though the second explosion later that day effectively ended the robot efforts.

Early on 24 November 2010, it was reported that a drill started from above the horizontal mine{{cite news|title=Pike River mine drilling reaches last metres |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/accidents/news/article.cfm?c_id=13&objectid=10689450|access-date=5 August 2015|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |publisher=APN|date=23 November 2010|last=Leask|first=Anna}} had reached to the mine chamber, releasing hot gas. Later in the day, it was reported analysis showed 95% methane.{{cite news|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Pike-River-emergency-presser---Peter-Whittall-/tabid/423/articleID/187819/Default.aspx|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718225900/http://www.3news.co.nz/Pike-River-emergency-presser---Peter-Whittall-/tabid/423/articleID/187819/Default.aspx |url-status=dead|archive-date=18 July 2012|title=Pike River emergency presser – Peter Whittall|publisher=3 News|date=24 November 2010}} A camera, inserted into a safe haven in the mine, found no evidence of human activity.{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/pike-river-mine-blast/news/video.cfm?c_id=1503000&gal_cid=1503000&gallery_id=115376|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124081604/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/pike-river-mine-blast/news/video.cfm?c_id=1503000&gal_cid=1503000&gallery_id=115376|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 November 2010 |title=Pike River: No miners in "place of refuge"|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=3 November 2011}}

File:Flag half mast NZ parliament buildings Pike River mining tragedy.jpg to mark the official memorial service for the 29 miners on 2 December 2010.]]

In accordance with the protocols established in New Zealand's Co-ordinated 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4368624/Australia-joins-NZ-mine-rescue-effort|title=Australia joins NZ mine rescue effort|work=Stuff |publisher=APN|date=20 November 2010}} The recovery phase was led by Inspector Mark Harrison, with Knowles in charge overall.{{cite web|url=http://www.police.govt.nz/blog/2010/11/26/sad-outcome-pike-river-mine/26174|author=Police Commissioner Howard Broad|title=Sad Outcome at Pike River|work=Police Dispatch (blog)|publisher=NZ Police|access-date=26 November 2010|archive-date=27 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127061737/http://police.govt.nz/blog/2010/11/26/sad-outcome-pike-river-mine/26174|url-status=dead}}

A welfare centre was set up at the Red Cross Hall in Greymouth for the families of the missing 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Pike-River-explosion---updates/tabid/423/articleID/187070/Default.aspx|title=Pike River Coal Mine|publisher=3 News |date=19 November 2010|access-date=20 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929131813/http://www.3news.co.nz/Pike-River-explosion---updates/tabid/423/articleID/187070/Default.aspx|archive-date=29 September 2012|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite news|title=Coast mood slowly turns to anger|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10689443 |access-date=23 November 2010|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |publisher=APN|date=23 November 2010|first=Catherine|last=Masters}} 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. Their cautious approach was supported by many international mine rescue experts.{{cite news|url=http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyid=186271|title=Mine experts support cautious approach|date=23 November 2010|publisher=Newstalk ZB |access-date=26 November 2010|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124053614/http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyid=186271|archive-date=24 November 2010}}

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".{{cite news|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/business-news/pike-river-share-halt-could-lifted-soon-analyst-3924914|title=Pike River share halt could be lifted soon – analyst|date=29 November 2010|work=One News|publisher=TVNZ|access-date=29 November 2010}} PRC's largest shareholder New Zealand Oil & Gas, which owned 29.4%, was also placed on a trading halt for two days; upon reinstatement the shares lost 29% of their value.{{cite news|url=http://www.odt.co.nz/news/business/137673/nzog-comes-trading-halt|title=NZOG comes off trading halt|last=Hartley |first=Simon|date=24 November 2010|newspaper=Otago Daily Times |publisher=Allied Press Ltd|access-date=29 November 2010}} PRC's shares were halted for 13 days. On 2 December 2010, 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.{{cite news |url=http://www.odt.co.nz/news/business/139018/stock-trades-reversed|title=Stock trades reversed|author=Simon Hartley|date=3 December 2010|newspaper=Otago Daily Times |access-date=7 December 2010}}

The first explosion was classified as a "highly, highly irregular event", and the New Zealand Prime Minister John Key immediately announced the government would hold an inquiry into its cause.{{cite web|last=Hartevelt|first=John|title=Government to hold inquiry into mine disaster, says Key|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/pike-river-mine-explosion/4374182/Government-to-hold-inquiry-into-mine-disaster-says-Key|work=Stuff |date=22 November 2010 |publisher=APN|access-date=24 November 2010}} It was later announced that the government would appoint a Royal Commission of Inquiry. In addition, the police and the coroner would conduct investigations – as required by law – as would the Department of Labour.{{cite web |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/q-and-a-news/q-interview-john-key-3921795|title=Interview with John Key|last=Espiner|first=Guyon|date=28 November 2010|work=Q + A|publisher=TVNZ|access-date=28 November 2010}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/equipment-arrives-to-extract-pike-river-bodies|title=Equipment Arrives to Extract Pike River Bodies|last=Latimer|first=Cole|date=26 November 2010|work=Australian Mining|access-date=30 November 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10690225

|title=Pike River: Aust union head backs GAG unit|last=Davison|first=Isaac|author2=Donnell, Hayden|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |date=26 November 2010|access-date=30 November 2010}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/mine-recovery-gag-unit-arrives-australia-3916897|title=Third explosion "won't set back recovery"|date=26 November 2010|work=One News (New Zealand)|publisher=TVNZ|access-date=30 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129211331/http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/third-explosion-won-t-set-back-recovery-3916897|archive-date=29 November 2010|url-status=dead}}

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.{{cite web|url= http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/police-pull-pike-river-operation-3962288|title=Police pull out of Pike River operation|date=10 December 2010|author=One News (New Zealand)|access-date=13 December 2010|work=Television New Zealand}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4536950/Police-halt-Pike-River-recovery-effort|title=Police halt Pike River recovery effort|work=The Press/ Stuff.co.nz|publisher=Fairfax NZ|date=13 January 2011|access-date=13 January 2011}}{{cite press release|url=http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/26740.html

|title=Pike River statement from Commissioner Howard Broad|publisher=New Zealand Police|author=Commissioner Howard Broad|date=13 January 2011|access-date=13 January 2011}}

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.{{cite news|title=Closing mine "worst case scenario"|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10699667|access-date=13 January 2011|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |date=14 January 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/144226/receiver-says-opening-pike-river-mine-still-option|title=Receiver says opening Pike River mine still an option|work=Otago Daily Times |author=NZPA

|date=14 January 2011|access-date=16 January 2011 }} 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.{{cite press release|url=http://www.pwc.com/nz/en/press-release/Pike_River_17Jan2011.jhtml |title=Receivers of Pike River Coal Limited (In Receivership) presents mine stabilisation plan to the Commissioner of Police|publisher=PricewaterhouseCoopers|date=17 December 2010|access-date=18 January 2011}} On 17 January 2011, it was further confirmed that recovery of the bodies was unlikely.{{cite news|title=Stabilising plan ready, but mine to stay a tomb |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10700348|access-date=17 January 2011|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |date=18 January 2011|first1=Vaimoana|last1=Tapaleao|first2=Jarrod |last2=Booker}} On 9 March 2011, the receivers took control of the mine from the New Zealand Police.{{cite press release|url=http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/27402.html|title=Pike River Coal to Implement Mine Stabilisation Plan|publisher=New Zealand Police|date= 9 March 2011|access-date=9 March 2011}}{{cite press release|url=http://www.pwc.com/nz/en/press-release/pike-river-coal-to-implement-mine-stabilisation-plan.jhtml|title=Pike River Coal to implement mine stabilisation plan|publisher=PwC New Zealand|date=9 March 2011|access-date=9 March 2011}} During inspection and recovery attempts, five robotic vehicles have been sent into the mine, but all failed within the mine, for reasons such as water ingress into their electronics, or getting stuck.

In February 2013, a panel of experts, including representatives from Solid Energy, the government and families of the deceased, met to discuss whether retrieval of the bodies would be possible if they had the necessary funding.{{cite news|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Pike-River-panel-meet-over-recovery-efforts/tabid/423/articleID/288068/Default.aspx|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130413223648/http://www.3news.co.nz/Pike-River-panel-meet-over-recovery-efforts/tabid/423/articleID/288068/Default.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 April 2013|publisher=3 News NZ|title=Pike River panel talk recovery|date=26 February 2013}} They came to the conclusion it could be done, and the government promised to fund the effort if its High Hazards Unit agreed.{{cite news|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Pike-River-expert-panel-say-progress-is-being-made/tabid/423/articleID/288188/Default.aspx|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130413225409/http://www.3news.co.nz/Pike-River-expert-panel-say-progress-is-being-made/tabid/423/articleID/288188/Default.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 April 2013|publisher=3 News NZ|title=Pike River recovery: Progress being made|date=26 February 2013}} In October 2013, Solid Energy with the assistance of the New Zealand Defence Force started the Pike re-entry project in an effort to send mine rescue and other experts 2.3 km into the drift access tunnel and close to the debris blockage caused by a roof fall.{{cite web|title=Troops start Pike re-entry plan|url=http://www.miningnews.net/storyview.asp?storyid=801575945§ionsource=c8|website=MiningNews|publisher=Aspermont Ltd.|access-date=21 October 2013|archive-date=2 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502004224/http://www.miningnews.net/storyview.asp?storyid=801575945§ionsource=c8|url-status=dead}} The following year WorkSafe wrote to Solid Energy stating that the re-entry plan made at that time was "safe and technically feasible"; and this became public knowledge the following month, in September 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/10535854/Pike-River-re-entry-feasible-for-at-least-a-year|title=Pike River re-entry feasible for at least a year|publisher=Stuff (Fairfax)|date=23 September 2014}} In November 2014, Solid Energy announced the decision not to re-enter the mine due to safety concerns, saying that if rescuers re-entered there was an unmanageable risk that more people would die.{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/62966511/Solid-Energy-won't-re-enter-Pike-River-mine|title=Solid Energy won't re-enter Pike River mine|publisher=Stuff (Fairfax)|date=6 November 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/62968549/Pike-River-Solid-Energy-Q-A|title=Pike River: Solid Energy Q&A |publisher=Stuff (Fairfax)|date=6 November 2014}}

The 29 men ranged in age from 17 to 62.{{cite news|title=New Zealand mine disaster: Profiles|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11828498|access-date=26 November 2010|publisher=BBC News |date=24 November 2010}} 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 2010 but had convinced management to allow him to start on 19 November 2010.Claire Harvey Never a Hope: this was not going to be Chile The Advertiser (Adelaide) 28 November 2010 Pg 47 Of the 29, 24 were New Zealanders, two were Scottish, two were Australian, and one was South African.{{cite news|title=Names of trapped miners may be released tomorrow |url=http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/137336/names-trapped-miners-may-be-released-tomorrow|access-date=24 November 2010|newspaper=Otago Daily Times |date=21 November 2010}} The 24 New Zealanders were predominantly West Coasters, though they also included 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/sport/4368752/Sims-Monk-among-missing-miners|title=Footy stars Sims, Monk among those missing|author=Ford, Greg|date=21 November 2010|newspaper=The Sunday Star-Times|access-date=3 November 2011}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10689312 |title=Pike River miners: Behind the names|date=22 November 2010|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=3 November 2011}}

{{See also|Pike River Mine#Economic aftermath|l1=Economic aftermath of the Pike River Mine disaster}}

On 24 November 2010 at 9:00 p.m., 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) and Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn who delivered a message from Pope Benedict XVI, saying that he shared the anxiety of the miners' families and that his prayers were with them.{{cite news |date=24 November 2010 |title=Live updates: Pike River Mine rescue |publisher=One News |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/live-updates-pike-river-mine-rescue-3909656 |access-date=24 November 2010}} Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand, sent to John Key a note expressing her condolences for the families of the deceased, calling the event a "national disaster".{{cite web |last=Elizabeth II |author-link=Elizabeth II |title=Message following the New Zealand mining disaster, 24 November 2010 |url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/LatestNewsandDiary/Pressreleases/2010/MessagefollowingtheNewZealandminingdisaster24Novem.aspx |access-date=24 November 2010 |publisher=Queen's Printer}} Her grandson, Prince William, sent a similar message to Key.{{cite web |last=Clarence House |author-link=Clarence House |date=24 November 2010 |title=Message from HRH Prince William of Wales to the Prime Minister of New Zealand |url=http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/mediacentre/inthenews/message_from_hrh_prince_william_of_wales_to_the_prime_minist_266551351.html |access-date=24 November 2010 |publisher=Queen's Printer}}

A number of countries worldwide expressed their condolences, including the United Kingdom, Australia{{cite news |date=25 November 2010 |title=Australian Parliament pauses to remember Pike River victims |newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/workplace/news/article.cfm?c_id=74&objectid=10690043 |access-date=30 December 2010}} (where the Australian Parliament observed a moment's silence and flags were flown at half mast, in conjunction with New Zealand), and the United States.{{cite web |last=US Embassy in NZ |author-link=Hillary Clinton |date=24 November 2010 |title=Mine Explosion in New Zealand: Statement by Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton |url=http://newzealand.usembassy.gov/mine_explosion.html |access-date=30 December 2010 |publisher=US Embassy in New Zealand |archive-date=23 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123022220/http://newzealand.usembassy.gov/mine_explosion.html |url-status=dead }}

The New Zealand Warriors and Newcastle Knights opened 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 was divided between the Pike River mining relief fund and the West Coast Rugby League.{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/4449358/Warriors-to-play-charity-match-in-Greymouth|title=Warriors to play charity match in Greymouth|date=11 December 2010 |agency=NZPA|website=Stuff |access-date=3 November 2011}} The teams arrived on 3 February 2011 to carry out community appearances in the region.{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10693813&ref=rss|title=NRL: Warriors to star in West Coast charity match|date=12 December 2010|publisher=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=3 November 2011}} The Crusaders also announced that they would play their first home match of the 2011 Super Rugby season in the West Coast Rugby Union jersey. These were later 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 families affected by the disaster.{{cite news|title=Prince William to visit Australia|publisher=ABC|date=8 March 2011|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/09/3159032.htm

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311121951/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/09/3159032.htm

|url-status=dead

|archive-date=11 March 2011

|access-date=8 March 2011}}

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 which are common in Australia, but are not legally required in New Zealand. The possible safety measures not used in the Pike River Mine were a "tube bundle" gas monitoring system, stocks of food and water, breathing apparatus, and a second escape route. Whittall has consistently maintained that safety standards were high.{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/miners-doomed-by-fatal-flaws/story-e6frg6z6-1226082325549|title=Miners doomed by fatal flaws|first=Ean|last=Higgins|publisher=The Australian|date=27 June 2011|access-date=30 June 2011}} A former mine supervisor alleged that miners continued to work when the methane gas concentrations exceeded the threshold of 2%. It is also alleged that the miners routinely blew compressed air over the methane alarms to prevent them from triggering.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

In November 2013, the Christchurch-based journalist Rebecca Macfie published the book Tragedy at Pike River Mine: How and Why 29 Men Died, based on research and interviews into the causes of the disaster.{{cite news|title="New material" in Pike disaster book|url=http://www.internationalcoalnews.com/storyview.asp?storyid=801574679§ionsource=c8|access-date=30 September 2013|newspaper=International Coal News|archive-date=2 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502005601/http://www.internationalcoalnews.com/storyview.asp?storyid=801574679§ionsource=c8|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Weekend Review|url=https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/tragedy-pike-river-mine-how-and-why-29-men-died-dc-148754|publisher=National Business Review |access-date=5 December 2017|date=15 November 2013|archive-date=6 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206074551/https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/tragedy-pike-river-mine-how-and-why-29-men-died-dc-148754|url-status=dead}}

Several commentators criticised successive National and Labour Party governments for deregulating safety in the mining sector and some also argued that the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU), which had several members at Pike River, did not do enough to prevent the tragedy.{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10846245|title=Bryce Edwards: Political round-up: Labour's role in Pike River|date=9 November 2012|newspaper=New Zealand Herald |issn=1170-0777|access-date=29 August 2016}}{{cite book|title=Tragedy at Pike River: How and Why 29 Men Died|last=Macfie|first=Rebecca|publisher=Awa Press|year=2013|isbn=978-1877551901|location=Wellington, New Zealand|pages=180}}{{cite web|url=https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2012/11/pike-n16.html |title=Labour MP blames workers for New Zealand mine disaster|last=Peters|first=Tom|date=16 November 2012|publisher=World Socialist Web Site}} In the days after the explosion, EPMU leader Andrew Little (who later became Labour Party leader) said there had been no problems at Pike River Coal and defended its safety record.{{Citation|last=The New Zealand Herald |title=Andrew Little: We have to rally around|date=21 November 2010|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2qxTah93Ec|access-date=29 August 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2435109/miners'-union-demands-answers|title=Morning Report, Radio New Zealand|date=22 November 2010|access-date=29 August 2016}}

The disaster has led to calls for New Zealand to introduce a crime of corporate manslaughter, and in 2013 Labour leader Andrew Little introduced a private members' into the ballot that would introduce a new crime modelled on the United Kingdom's Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act. Simester and Brookbanks wrote in their criminal law textbook:

[D]isasters like Pike River seem to point inexorably towards the need to better regulate the activities of corporate managers and to create a stronger safety culture around workplace environments. Corporate manslaughter ought to be considered, together with other regulatory mechanisms, as means of better protecting employees and members of the public from corporate negligence and unsafe practices.{{cite book |last1=Simester |first1=AP |title=Principles of Criminal Law |last2=Brookbanks |first2=WJ |publisher=Brookers |year=2012 |location=Wellington |page=237}}

In November 2010, Prime Minister John Key announced that the Government would conduct a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the disaster, to be led by Justice Graham Panckhurst.{{cite web |url=http://beehive.govt.nz/release/pm-announces-royal-commission-pike-river|title=PM announces Royal Commission on Pike River|publisher=New Zealand Government|author=John Key|date=29 November 2010 |access-date=12 December 2010}}{{cite web|last=Hartevelt|first=John|title=Pike River disaster inquiry announced|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/pike-river-mine-disaster/4399947/Pike-River-disaster-inquiry-announced|website=Stuff |date=29 November 2010 |publisher=APN|access-date=29 November 2010}} 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.{{cite news|title=Eventually someone will be held culpable |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/matt-mccarten-on-politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=1502871&objectid=10692080|access-date=9 December 2010|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |date=5 December 2010|author=Matt McCarten}} 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.{{cite web|author=Christopher Finlayson|date=13 December 2010|url=http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/appointments-pike-river-royal-commission|title=Appointments to Pike River Royal Commission|publisher=New Zealand Government|access-date=13 December 2010}} The Royal Commission was originally expected to report its findings by March 2012.{{cite news |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/commission-given-deadline-pike-inquiry-3968360|title=Commission given deadline for Pike inquiry|author=ONE News|date=13 December 2010|access-date=14 December 2010 |newspaper=Television New Zealand Ltd}}

On 30 October 2012, the Chair of the Royal Commission, the Hon Justice Pankhurst presented the Royal Commission report to the Attorney-General Chris Finlayson in Wellington.{{cite web|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/pike-river-report-handed-government-consider-5172974|title=Pike River report handed to Government to consider|work=One News (New Zealand) |publisher=Television New Zealand|date=30 October 2012|access-date=30 October 2012}} The Royal Commission's Final Report was released to the public on 5 November 2012.{{cite web|url=http://pikeriver.royalcommission.govt.nz/Final-Report|title=Final Reports|access-date=5 November 2012}} Later that day, the Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson resigned her portfolio in response to the conclusion that the regulation and inspection of mining by the Department of Labour had failed to prevent the accident.{{cite news|url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/politics/political-fallout-following-pike-river-report-2012110518|work=3 News NZ/Newshub|title=Political fallout following Pike River report|date=5 November 2012|archive-date=25 July 2023|access-date=22 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725063445/https://www.newshub.co.nz/politics/political-fallout-following-pike-river-report-2012110518|url-status=dead}}

The former directors John Dow, Ray Meyer, Stuart Nattrass and former chief executive Peter Whittall rejected accusations of running an unsafe mine and said they disagreed with the Royal Commission's conclusion that the directors had not acted properly over health and safety at the mine. Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn blamed the mine managers.{{cite news|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Pike-directors-reject-safety-issues/tabid/423/articleID/275598/Default.aspx|work=3 News NZ|author=NZN / 3 News|title=Pike directors reject safety issues|date=6 November 2012}}

On 12 December 2012, the Government released a plan to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission.{{cite press release|url=http://beehive.govt.nz/release/pike-river-implementation-plan-released

|title= Pike River Implementation Plan released|publisher=New Zealand Government|date=12 December 2012|access-date=12 December 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mbie.govt.nz/what-we-do/pike-river-implementation-plan|title=Pike River implementation plan|publisher=Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment|date=12 December 2012|access-date=13 December 2012}}

In November 2010, the Police and the Department of Labour began investigating the accident for grounds for prosecution.{{cite news

|url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10689658|title=Breakdown a 'kick in the guts' for families|first=Jarrod|last=Booker|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |date=24 November 2010

|access-date=21 November 2012}} The investigation involved a team of up to 15 staff who conducted more than 200 interviews.{{cite press release|url=http://www.dol.govt.nz/news/media/2011/pike-river-charges.asp|title=Pike River Charges Laid|publisher=NZ Department of Labour|date=10 November 2011|access-date=22 November 2012|archive-date=25 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025161550/http://www.dol.govt.nz/news/media/2011/pike-river-charges.asp|url-status=dead}} In November 2011, the Department of Labour formally initiated the prosecution of three parties under the Health Safety and Employment Act: Pike River Coal Limited (in receivership), VLI Drilling Pty Limited (Valley Longwall International) and Peter William Whittall{{cite press release|url=http://www.dol.govt.nz/news/media/2011/pike-river-parties-named.asp|title=Pike River – Parties changed named|publisher=NZ Department of Labour|date=11 November 2011|access-date=22 November 2012|archive-date=25 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025163212/http://www.dol.govt.nz/news/media/2011/pike-river-parties-named.asp|url-status=dead}} for 25 charges of alleged health and safety failures associated with the accident.{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10765212|title=Three charged over Pike tragedy|first=Jarrod|last=Booker|publisher=The New Zealand Herald |date=11 November 2011|access-date=21 November 2012}}

The receivers for Pike River Coal Limited advised that the company would not enter a plea to the charges.{{cite web |date=31 July 2012 |title=Update on the Department of Labour prosecution of Pike River Coal |url=http://www.pwc.co.nz/media-centre/news-release/update-on-the-department-of-labour-prosecution-of-pike-river-coal/ |access-date=24 December 2012 |publisher=PwC New Zealand |archive-date=7 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130207043502/http://www.pwc.co.nz/media-centre/news-release/update-on-the-department-of-labour-prosecution-of-pike-river-coal/ |url-status=dead }} In July 2013, Pike River Coal was ordered to pay $110,000 to each of the victims' families and fined $760,000.[http://www.3news.co.nz/110000-awarded-to-Pike-River-victims-families/tabid/423/articleID/303869/Default.aspx $110,000 awarded to Pike River victims, families] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227061541/http://www.3news.co.nz/110000-awarded-to-Pike-River-victims-families/tabid/423/articleID/303869/Default.aspx |date=27 February 2014 }}, although it was in receivership and therefore likely to be insolvent 3 News NZ 5 July 2013 In the end it did not pay the fine and only paid $5,000 to each family, saying it did not have the money.[http://www.3news.co.nz/Shareholders-deny-Pike-River-families-reparation/tabid/423/articleID/319450/Default.aspx Shareholders deny Pike River families' reparation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227062030/http://www.3news.co.nz/Shareholders-deny-Pike-River-families-reparation/tabid/423/articleID/319450/Default.aspx |date=27 February 2014 }} 3 News NZ 30 October 2013[http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/228143/pike-river-disaster-third-anniversary Pike River disaster third anniversary] Radio NZ 19 November 2013

On 31 July 2012, the contracting company Valley Longwall International pleaded guilty in the Greymouth District Court to three health and safety charges. On 26 October 2012, Valley Longwall International, who had lost three employees in the mine, was fined $46,800.{{cite news |last=Bromley |first=Tui |date=26 October 2012 |title=Drilling contractor fined $46k over errors |publisher=Greymouth Star |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10843079 |access-date=21 November 2012}}

Peter Whittall did not appear in court for his 12 health and safety charges and his case was adjourned to October 2012.{{cite news |last=Quilliam |first=Rebecca |date=31 July 2012 |title=Pike River Coal won't fight charges |newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10823503 |access-date=21 November 2012}} On 25 October 2012, Whittall entered not guilty pleas.{{cite web |last=Mussen |first=Deidre |date=25 October 2012 |title=Peter Whittall, Former Pike River Boss, Denies Charges |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/pike-river-mine-disaster/7859106/Former-Pike-River-boss-denies-charges |access-date=22 November 2012 |work=Fairfax Media NZ Ltd}} In December 2013, charges were dropped against Whittall, citing a lack of evidence.{{cite web |title=Whittall avoids Pike trial |url=http://www.internationalcoalnews.com/storyview.asp?storyID=801875108§ion=Safety+and+Health§ionsource=s52 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502002632/http://www.internationalcoalnews.com/storyview.asp?storyID=801875108§ion=Safety+and+Health§ionsource=s52 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 May 2014 |access-date=13 December 2013 |work=International Coal News |publisher=Aspermont Ltd. }}{{cite news |last=Bayer |first=Kurt |date=12 December 2013 |title=Charges dropped against ex-Pike River boss Peter Whittall |newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11171336 |access-date=4 August 2015 |issn=1170-0777}} Instead, Whittall and Pike River Coal offered a voluntary payment on behalf of the directors and officers of the company to the families of the men and two survivors. Some family members of the deceased miners criticised the decision to drop charges, and in August 2016, two family members sought a judicial review of the decision.{{cite web |last=Peters |first=Tom |title=Families of New Zealand mine disaster victims seek justice – World Socialist Web Site |url=https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2016/08/15/pike-a15.html |access-date=26 August 2016 |website=wsws.org|date=15 August 2016 }}

On 23 November 2017 the New Zealand Supreme Court ruled that the arrangement by WorkSafe to drop all charges against Whittall, conditional on payment of $3.41 million, was an agreement to prevent the prosecution and was therefore unlawful. Police had already decided not to press criminal charges against Whittall. Whittall's lawyer, Stuart Grieve QC, had proposed a voluntary payment instead of a plea bargain, conditional on WorkSafe agreeing not to proceed against Whittall. The court said: "If accepted, this proposal would undoubtedly have constituted a bargain to stifle prosecution.{{cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/99166885/worksafe-decision-to-drop-pike-river-charges-unlawful |title=WorkSafe decision to drop case against Pike mine boss Peter Whittall 'unlawful': Supreme Court |work=Stuff | date=24 November 2017|first1=Martin |last1=van Beynen |first2=Sam |last2=Sherwood|access-date=3 May 2021}}

On 23 November 2020, the New Zealand Law Society confirmed in a letter to former lawyer Christopher Harder, who lodged a formal complaint in October 2020, that the matter was being referred to a Standards Committee "for consideration of commencing an investigation of its own motion". The complaint, viewed by the New Zealand Herald, claims that Stuart Grieve QC and then Crown Prosecutor for Christchurch Brent Stanaway brought the legal profession into disrepute by entering into an "unlawful agreement to pay money for the dropping of all charges" and "stifling a prosecution by deliberately misleading and deceiving the sentencing judge [District Court Judge Jane Farish]".{{cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/law-society-considers-probe-into-unlawful-deal-with-ex-pike-river-coal-mine-boss-peter-whittall/6IULTCCIXIER7BNQ6MIM6OHGPU/| title=Law Society considers probe into 'unlawful' deal with ex-Pike River coal mine boss Peter Whittall| work=New Zealand Herald | date=23 November 2020| first=Kurt| last=Bayer| access-date=3 May 2021}} Harder told Stuff "I hope the fact that the Law Society is finally looking at this unlawful agreement to stifle the WorkSafe prosecutions gives the deceased miners families here some little peace of mind and a little hope that there might still be a little justice to come." Harder did not wish to be considered the complainant or a party to the complaint, but described himself to the law society as "a messenger". He felt the society should have begun this investigation without his correspondence."{{cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/123485166/law-society-considering-complaint-about-unlawful-deal-with-pike-river-families| title=Law Society considering complaint about 'unlawful' deal with Pike River families| work=Stuff | date=23 November 2020| first=Steven|last=Walton| access-date=3 May 2021}}

After an agreement was signed between New Zealand's major political parties in Wellington on 15 August 2017, soon-to-be Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern pledged that a manned re-entry of the mine would be conducted with the object of recovering bodies and investigating the cause of the explosion. Meanwhile, preparations for a robotic entry later in the year continued.{{cite news |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/west-coast/95798732/crossparty-agreement-pledges-a-reentry-of-pike-river-mine|title=Cross-party agreement pledges a reentry of Pike River Mine|date=15 August 2017 |access-date=20 October 2017|newspaper=Stuff |publisher=Fairfax New Zealand Ltd}}

On 20 November 2017, Minister for Pike Mine Re-entry Andrew Little announced the creation of a stand-alone government department called the Pike River Recovery Agency to explore plans to re-enter the mine and recover the bodies of the deceased miners.{{cite news|title=Pike River Recovery Agency established|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1711/S00123/pike-river-recovery-agency-established.htm |access-date=22 November 2017|agency=Scoop (website)|publisher=New Zealand Government|date=20 November 2017}}{{cite web|title=Pike River Mine Factsheet |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2017-11/Pike%20River%20Mine%20Factsheet%20201117%20.pdf|publisher=Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment|access-date=22 November 2017}}

On 31 January 2018, the Pike River Recovery Agency formally came into existence with its headquarters being in Greymouth.{{cite web|title=Pike River Recovery Agency |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/pike-river-recovery-agency-launched|publisher=New Zealand Government|access-date=7 May 2018}} On 19 April 2018, Little, as Minister for Pike Mine Re-entry, entered the mine's portal with Pike Family representatives Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse to demonstrate that a safe re-entry was possible. He vowed that the coalition Government would re-enter the drift to recover evidence and the remains of the deceased miners.{{cite web|title=Andrew Little enters Pike River portal|url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/andrew-little-enters-pike-river-portal|publisher=New Zealand Government|access-date=7 May 2018}}

On 21 May 2019, a mine recovery team led by Pike River Recovery Agency chief operating officer Dinghy Pattinson re-entered the mine for the first time since 2010, breaking the concrete seal to the mine drift. Body recovery and forensic operations are expected to take several months. The mine re-entry was marked by family members releasing 29 yellow balloons and calling out the names of those who died.{{cite news|last1=Carroll|first1=Joanne|title=Pike River re-entry finally a reality after eight-year battle|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/west-coast/112896213/pike-river-reentry-finally-a-reality-after-eightyear-battle#comments|access-date=22 May 2019|publisher=Stuff |date=22 May 2019}}{{cite news|title="Just incredible": First images inside the Pike River Mine, almost nine years after it was sealed|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12233038|access-date=22 May 2019|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |date=21 May 2019}}{{cite news|last1=Mills|first1=Laura |title=Emotions run high at Pike River mine re-entry|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/west-coast/emotions-run-high-pike-river-mine-re-entry|access-date=22 May 2019 |work=Otago Daily Times |date=22 May 2019}}{{cite news|last1=Williams|first1=David|title=What happens now at Pike River|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/112902305/what-happens-now-at-pike-river|access-date=22 May 2019

|publisher=Stuff |date=22 May 2019}} Re-entry and recovery operations will consist of three phases. The first team of miners will re-enter to assess hazards and to establish infrastructure for supporting the roofs and sides of the drift. A second forensically-focused mining team will then enter the mine to examine and remove any evidential material. A third team will provide mining services including gas monitoring, communications lines and ventilation bags. Once completed, the site is expected to be refurbished and handed back to the Department of Conservation.{{cite news|last1=Tyson|first1=Jessica|title=Next steps in Pike River Mine recovery|url=https://www.maoritelevision.com/news/regional/next-steps-pike-river-mine-recovery|access-date=22 May 2019

|publisher=Māori Television|date=22 May 2019}}

On 10 June 2020, Minister for Pike Mine Re-entry Andrew Little announced that it was "impractical" to expect the remains of the fallen miners to be recovered. Instead, recovery efforts would focus on gathering evidence for the homicide case. The cost of the recovery project had risen from NZ$23 million to NZ$35 million, with concerns that the figure could reach NZ$50 million.{{cite news|last1=Walls|first1=Jason |title=Pike River: Andrew Little says it is "just impractical" to expect all bodies to be recovered|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12338776|access-date=11 June 2020

|newspaper=New Zealand Herald |date=10 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610155931/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12338776|archive-date=10 June 2020}}

On 17 February 2021, the Pike River Recovery Agency abandoned plans to recover the bodies of fallen miners after reaching the roof fall 2.26 kilometres up the mine's access tunnel. The Agency would instead focus on conducting forensic work in the Pit Bottom in Stone area in support of the New Zealand Police investigation.{{cite web |title=Agency reaches the roof fall |url=https://www.pikeriverrecovery.govt.nz/news/agency-reaches-the-roof-fall/ |publisher=Pike River Recovery Agency |access-date=19 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216230206/https://www.pikeriverrecovery.govt.nz/news/agency-reaches-the-roof-fall/ |archive-date=16 February 2021 |date=17 February 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Naish |first1=Joanne |title=Pike River Recovery Agency reaches rockfall at top of mine tunnel |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/124271163/pike-river-recovery-agency-reaches-rockfall-at-top-of-mine-tunnel |access-date=19 February 2021 |work=Stuff |date=17 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217103725/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/124271163/pike-river-recovery-agency-reaches-rockfall-at-top-of-mine-tunnel |archive-date=17 February 2021|url-status=live}} On 23 March 2021, the Minister responsible for Pike River Re-entry, Andrew Little, stated that it was too hard and too expensive to go any further into the mine.{{cite news| url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/124628993/pike-river-inherently-unstable-and-cant-have-unlimited-budget--andrew-little| title=Pike River 'inherently' unstable and can't have unlimited budget – Andrew Little| first=Joanne| last=Naish| date=23 March 2021| work=Stuff | access-date=3 May 2021}}

On 12 May 2021, the Government confirmed that it was reviewing an NZ$8 million plan submitted by a group representing 23 Pike River families to recover the mine's ventilation fan, which is considered to be the most likely source of the 2010 explosion.{{cite news |last1=Naish |first1=Joanne |title=$8m plan to go further into Pike River mine to be reviewed |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/125111240/8m-plan-to-go-further-into-pike-river-mine-to-be-reviewed |access-date=10 July 2021 |work=Stuff |date=12 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210708205019/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/125111240/8m-plan-to-go-further-into-pike-river-mine-to-be-reviewed |archive-date=8 July 2021|url-status=live}}

On 4 June 2021, 22 of the 29 victims' families filed for a judicial review challenging Minister for Pike Mine Re-entry Little's rejection of a proposal to recover the mine's ventilation fan, which is considered the likely source of the 2010 explosion.{{cite news|last1=Fyfe |first1=James |title= Pike River families file for judicial review after rejection of plan to recover more evidence from mine |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/06/pike-river-families-file-for-judicial-review-after-rejection-of-plan-to-recover-more-evidence-from-mine.html |access-date=8 June 2021 |work=Newshub |date=4 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604032947/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/06/pike-river-families-file-for-judicial-review-after-rejection-of-plan-to-recover-more-evidence-from-mine.html |archive-date=4 June 2021|url-status=dead}} Some of the families and supporters launched a social media campaign and an online petition, titled "Help stop critical evidence in Pike River mine from being locked away for ever!"{{Cite web|title=Families fight to continue underground investigation of New Zealand's Pike River mine disaster|url=https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/06/07/pike-j07.html|access-date=2 December 2021|website=World Socialist Web Site|date=7 June 2021 |language=en}} The families also gained support internationally, including from mineworkers and experts in the UK and Australia.{{Cite web|title=UK mines rescue expert: Sealing Pike River mine "morally and professionally indefensible"|url=https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/07/24/pike-j24.html|access-date=2 December 2021|website=World Socialist Web Site|date=24 July 2021 |language=en}}{{Cite web|title="This was a crime"—Readers support families' fight to fully investigate Pike River mine disaster|url=https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/06/09/pike-j09.html|access-date=2 December 2021|website=World Socialist Web Site|date=9 June 2021 |language=en}}

On 9 July, a group representing 20 Pike River families blocked the mine access road in order to prevent the Pike River Recovery Agency from permanently closing the mine.{{cite news |last1=Naish |first1=Joanne |title=Pike River families picket to stop mine being sealed |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/125690580/pike-river-families-picket-to-stop-mine-being-sealed |access-date=10 July 2021 |work=Stuff |date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210708200327/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/125690580/pike-river-families-picket-to-stop-mine-being-sealed |archive-date=8 July 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title='That's not gonna happen' – Pike River protesters taking fight over mine to court |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/446597/that-s-not-gonna-happen-pike-river-protesters-taking-fight-over-mine-to-court |access-date=10 July 2021 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=10 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710014359/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/446597/that-s-not-gonna-happen-pike-river-protesters-taking-fight-over-mine-to-court|archive-date=10 July 2021|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Families picket road to prevent the sealing of New Zealand's Pike River mine|url=https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/07/09/pike-j09.html|access-date=2 December 2021|website=World Socialist Web Site|date=9 July 2021 |language=en}} A representative of the Pike River families also sought a court injunction to prevent the Pike River mine from being permanently sealed.

On 17 November 2021, New Zealand Police announced that the remains of at least two men had been found within the alpine bolter section of the mine. This discovery came following the recent drilling of boreholes and the introduction of specialised cameras into the mine. Police Superintendent Pete Read stated that it was not possible to recover the remains due to their location.{{cite news |title=Police to announce remains of men killed in Pike River mine disaster found |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/127014143/live-police-to-announce-remains-of-men-killed-in-pike-river-mine-disaster-found |access-date=17 November 2021 |work=Stuff |date=17 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117014746/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/127014143/remains-of-men-killed-in-pike-river-mine-disaster-found|archive-date=17 November 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Human remains found in Pike River Mine |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/455917/human-remains-found-in-pike-river-mine |access-date=17 November 2021 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=17 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117015435/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/455917/human-remains-found-in-pike-river-mine |archive-date=17 November 2021|url-status=live}}

By 9 March 2022, a total of eight bodies had been found as a result of deep bore drilling operations.{{cite news |title=Two further sets of remains found at Pike River mine |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/03/09/two-further-sets-of-remains-found-at-pike-river-mine/ |access-date=11 March 2022 |work=1News |date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309030406/https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/03/09/two-further-sets-of-remains-found-at-pike-river-mine/ |archive-date=9 March 2022|url-status=live}}

By 23 June 2023, with the conclusion of bore drilling operations by police, a total of twelve of the twenty-nine bodies had been located within the mine. The photos taken indicated that the victims likely died instantaneously in the initial explosion and therefore would have been unable to be rescued prior to the second explosion.{{cite web |last1=McClure |first1=Tess |title=New Zealand police find more remains 13 years after Pike River disaster |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/23/new-zealand-police-find-more-remains-13-years-after-pike-river-disaster |work=The Guardian |access-date=23 June 2023 |language=English |date=23 June 2023 |quote=The police photographs indicated that the men had died immediately, he said, and not been trapped as some families had feared.}}

The disaster was the primary motivator in updating New Zealand's health and safety legislation, resulting in establishment of WorkSafe New Zealand in December 2013 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.{{Cite news |date=15 November 2013 |title=Parliament finalises post-Pike law changes |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/parliament-finalises-post-pike-law-changes/Z7RWSR3PC3LPVA7QASKC7MBGMY/ |access-date=19 June 2024 |work=The Greymouth Star |publisher=The New Zealand Herald}}{{Cite web |date=9 October 2014 |title=Health and safety in the workplace |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/research-papers/document/00PLEcoC5171/health-and-safety-in-the-workplace |access-date=19 June 2024 |website=Parliament.nz}}

The Blackball Museum of Working Class History includes a memorial wheel dedicated to those who have died at work in New Zealand, with a special section for the miners who died in the Pike River Mine disaster. It was the site of a memorial service to mark the fourth anniversary of the event; wreaths were laid and a choir performed a piece dedicated to the victims.{{cite news|last=O'Connor|first=Sarah-Jane|date=20 November 2014|title=Blackball marks anniversary of mine tragedy|publisher=The Press }}

• Brunner Mine disaster
• Firedamp
• List of disasters in New Zealand by death toll
• Mining in New Zealand

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20101123213944/http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/26106.html Names released of coal miners trapped in Pike River coal mine] by the New Zealand Police
• [http://www.police.govt.nz/node/26105 Operation Pike, New Zealand Police] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125020547/http://www.police.govt.nz/node/26105 |date=25 November 2010 }}
• [https://www.youtube.com/user/nzheraldtv#p/u/33/67Uq4Sr1tPU CCTV footage, initial explosion], NZ Herald (Flash video software or a web browser supporting H.264 is necessary to view){{dead|date=September 2024}}
• [http://www.police.govt.nz/operation_pike/videos_photos Video & stills, 3rd & 4th explosions], New Zealand Police {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203020500/http://www.police.govt.nz/operation_pike/videos_photos |date=3 December 2010 }}
• [http://pikeriver.royalcommission.govt.nz/Final-Report Final report], Royal Commission

{{Authority control}}

Category:Pike River Mine disaster