Plans to seal off New Zealand mine
Source: Agencies |
November 30, 2010, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A NEW Zealand coal mine, where 29 men died after a methane gas explosion, could be temporarily sealed to put out a dangerous coal-fire, delaying attempts to recover the miners' bodies for months, authorities said.
The coal-fire was triggered by an explosion of methane on Sunday, the fourth and the strongest in just over a week, and came as authorities were preparing to try and flush toxic gases out of the mine to recover the bodies of the entombed miners.
Rescue authorities and mine operator Pike River Coal said yesterday they were evaluating the best way to extinguish the fire, with one option being to temporarily seal the entrance and ventilation shafts, in order to starve the fire of oxygen. "Recovery of the 29 men lost in the Pike River mine remains the company's top priority," said Chairman John Dow.
Fires in underground coal mines can burn for years and Pike River Coal Chief Executive Peter Whittall told local media it could be several weeks before the bodies are retrieved.
The men were trapped after an explosion on November 19, with a second more powerful blast on November 24 extinguishing any hopes of survivors.
The coal-fire was triggered by an explosion of methane on Sunday, the fourth and the strongest in just over a week, and came as authorities were preparing to try and flush toxic gases out of the mine to recover the bodies of the entombed miners.
Rescue authorities and mine operator Pike River Coal said yesterday they were evaluating the best way to extinguish the fire, with one option being to temporarily seal the entrance and ventilation shafts, in order to starve the fire of oxygen. "Recovery of the 29 men lost in the Pike River mine remains the company's top priority," said Chairman John Dow.
Fires in underground coal mines can burn for years and Pike River Coal Chief Executive Peter Whittall told local media it could be several weeks before the bodies are retrieved.
The men were trapped after an explosion on November 19, with a second more powerful blast on November 24 extinguishing any hopes of survivors.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 娌狪CP璇侊細娌狪CP澶05050403鍙-1
- |
- 浜掕仈缃戞柊闂讳俊鎭湇鍔¤鍙瘉锛31120180004
- |
- 缃戠粶瑙嗗惉璁稿彲璇侊細0909346
- |
- 骞挎挱鐢佃鑺傜洰鍒朵綔璁稿彲璇侊細娌瓧绗354鍙
- |
- 澧炲肩數淇′笟鍔＄粡钀ヨ鍙瘉锛氭勃B2-20120012
Copyright 漏 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
