Solid Energy hits back at Pike closure objections

Solid Energy is going straight to the public on why Pike River Mine cannot be re-entered and must be sealed.

The company’s directors wrote an open letter in yesterday’s Herald “to set the record straight” and counter a number of “inaccurate statements” about the decision to permanently close the methane-filled mine.

Protesters are blockading the mine entrance to prevent work starting on sealing the drift. They want to retrieve the bodies of the 29 men who died in the 2010 explosion and find out what went wrong six years ago.

Yesterday’s full-page letter set out why the firm remains resolute in its decision to close the West Coast mine.

It said the decision was taken on “rigorous assessment” and there had been no improvement in the conditions within the mine’s tunnel for the past two years when re-entry was deemed too dangerous.

“While we have deep sympathy for the position of the families, the directors’ decision is . . . motivated by our responsibility for the safety of the site and any person entering the mine.”

The letter offers counter arguments about the ease of drift inspection, denies claims the company dismissed re-entry views put forward by experts representing the families and denies a cover-up conspiracy.

But protester Bernie Monk said more than 20 families of the Pike River miners killed in the mine had been surveyed and all bar one supported re-entry into the drift.

“The families believe it is safe ... but Government want to cover it up.”

Solid Energy plans to progressively publish the letter in NZ’s major daily papers.