29 miners are trapped in the Pike River coal mine on the West Coast of the South Island A gas explosion yesterday about 4.30pm trapped the miners. Nobody knows if they are still alive but it is possible they have found a safe area near a fresh air pipe.
Tests of the air near the entrance show dangerous levels of methane (CH4) and carbon monoxide (CO). A rescue team of 16 miners is waiting to enter the mine but they cannot do this until the air quality is safe.
The mine is a horizontal mine, not vertical like the one in Chile where 33 miners were trapped recently. A 2km tunnel, with some branches, goes into the mountain about 120m deep. Pike River mine is 40km from the town of Greymouth but because the road to the mine is steep, twisting and narrow, only emergency vehicles are allowed up the road. Families have to wait in Greymouth.
Greymouth is a small town with a population of about 10,000. The mayor says he knows all the miners who are trapped. The oldest one is 62 and the youngest is 17 years old. 24 of the miners are New Zealanders, 2 are Australians and 3 have British passports.
Australia, Chile, USA and other countries have offered help.
Questions
Why is mining so dangerous?
Why do some people choose this job?