A Mine on the west coast of the South Island in New Zealand experianced an explosion on Friday night. A second explosion was later reported on Wednesday afternoon (NZT) in which Police say nobody could have survived.
Being a Kiwi myself, I've followed this very closely.
To answer your question though, the miners were well aware of the risks of their occupation and accepted them. Mining is a dangerous job. I am waiting for the inquiries which are to be eventually opened. It was just yesterday that the second explosion occurred. Whatever the cause is, steps should be taken to minimize the risks of a similar disaster from occurring. Therefore, I believe hasty action shouldn't be taken. Authorities will look into this once the recovery is dealt with.
I can't comment on what safety measures must be added without knowing the ratio of deaths to total workers. Despite all odds, accidents do happen.
Only if the mines are owned by the government, these mines are privately owned and the workers all signed a contract and knew what could happen.
I have to agree completely. If you are willing to take a dangerous job, you should have the chance to take it. Too many safety regulations can actually harm business and slow production. They can also become costly and effect the number of people hired.
I can't comment on what safety measures must be added without knowing the ratio of deaths to total workers. Despite all odds, accidents do happen
There were about 140 employed at Pike River Mine. I've heard some compare it to the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster that took place in West Virginia earlier this year.
the cause of the explosion would have been that the mix of gas would have become unstable and this was why the rescuers had been unable to go into the mine.
Hrm.. this is usually the cause of the majority of mining accidents, aside from collapsing columns and whatnot. Some of the stuff that they work with react with the gas and that could cause explosions. There really is no way to effectively eliminate the gasses that come from the mine, except to wait for prolonged periods of time.
It's all over the news here. (I live in New Zealand). My thoughts are with the miners' families.
I thought the cause of the explosion was due to combustion of toxic gases. After the second explosion, unfortunately there was no hope for those miners.
Many people are angry at the "rescuers." Personelly, what I think they did, hold off, was the right thing to do, if they didn't and rushed in there like most people wanted them to, the death toll would have been 30+
I believe the methane levels were 95%, and 5-15% is considered explosive.
There has been harsh criticism of the operation, especially towards the police superintendent managing it. A great deal stems from dissatisfaction at the caution taken by the rescuers. Some folks felt that rushing in for a quick rescue would be a good idea. Of course, with a volatile mixture of gases, the real risk of renewed explosion and a two kilometre trek from the entrance to the proper, it'd be foolhardy to go charging.
If the rescuers had gone in yesterday, they would have died.
Thats a bold statement, we don't know what caused the second explosion.
It seems the gases which had filled the mine ignited once more. The prime minister was commenting on the second explosion being "far bigger than the first." The rescuers were planning on entering the mine.
I'm saying, if they were deep inside at 2:37 pm on Wednesday, the chances are great that they would have been killed in the explosion.
