Commissioner receives draft plan from Pike River

Commissioner of Police, Howard Broad, has this afternoon received a draft plan from the Pike River Coal company receivers concerning re-entry to the mine.

The plan contains two phases - the first relating to work currently underway to try and stabilise the mine environment. It suggests some additional work around sealing of cracks in the ground to help reduce the flow of gases out of the mine.

The second phase sets out plans to enter the mine to recover the remains of the 29 workers. This phase is dependent on the mine environment being stablised to the extent that it can be safely re-entered.

"The plan requires detailed consideration by ourselves and our advisers. This will take several weeks.

"Meantime, the GAG and nitrogen generation units are working well and will continue to operate while the plan is being considered," said Mr Broad.