New book ‘102 Things to Do with a Hole in the Ground‘ spotlights global reclamation projects
Stories of reinvented coal mining regions, regenerated communities and rebuilt ecosystems are told in a new book published this month.
New Zealand’s largest coal miner, Solid Energy, won’t re-enter its Pike River mine, and has taken the decision to surrender the mining permit over the project, as the risks of a fatal accident are still too high.
Board Chair Pip Dunphy said she is aware the decision will be “very disappointing” to the families of the 29 men who died in a series of explosions at the mine in 2010, as it is “too risky” trying to recover their remains.
“Any further loss of life in this mine is unacceptable and any possibility of other families having to go through what the Pike families have suffered is not something our board can support,” she was quoted as saying by TVNZ.
The site will be turned into a memorial to the men who still lie there.
Image from archives.
2 Comments
Barb Brant
The 29 families of the brave men who died in that mine deserve more than what they got. If it were my husband, son, brother or friend I would much prefer to go to a restful cemetery to visit them than a cold dark mine entrance to visit and talk to them.They need to be brought out.Solid energy says “Any further loss of life in this mine is unacceptable and any possibility of other families having to go through what the Pike families have suffered is not something our board can support,”The loss of 29 lives was UNACCEPTABLE. Solid energy knew before the explosions that there danger issues that they failed to address that could have saved these men. Now there’s a problem with being in there. Hey I have an idea let the members of Solid energy’s board go in and get the men out and give these families what they well need and deserve.
Rockdr
Barb – I think you may need to do some research before you rant. Solid Energy didn’t own the mine when the accident occurred but have purchased it subsequently in hope of re-opening and operating it. Every situation in mining is unique and I’m sure the conditions have been thoroughly assessed before the decision made.