Pike River Coal Mine
Guidelines for company directors on their health and safety responsibilities
An important resource for company directors, and part of the Ministry’s work to implement recommendations from the Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy, is now available.
The Good Governance Practices Guideline for Managing Health and Safety Risks was developed jointly by the Ministry and the Institute of Directors with input from employer and employee groups. The guideline gives practical advice to company directors on managing health and safety risk and influencing performance in this critical area in their organisations.
It is an essential resource for directors providing information on director responsibilities, the role of directors in health and safety, diagnostic questions and actions for directors as well as case studies and a checklist.
MBIE independent investigation report released
On 10 April 2013 MBIE’s Chief Executive, David Smol released the independent investigation report. View the report and related information.
Pike River implementation plan
The Government released the Pike River Implementation Plan on 12 December 2012. This details how and when Government will respond to the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy. View information about the plan and updates on government activity.
MBIE Independent Investigation Process
On 5 November 2012 the report of The Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy was publicly released.
On 6 November MBIE’s Chief Executive, David Smol responded to the Commission’s report. He apologised to the families of the victims and also announced he would commission an independent investigation to look at the implications of the report for him as an employer.
A final written report will be provided to the Chief Executive by 14 March 2013. This is an extension to the original deadline in the Terms of Reference of 28 February 2013
- MBIE's response to the Royal Commission’s findings
- The Report of the Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy
Pike River Prosecutions
31 July 2012
At the Greymouth District Court this morning:
- VLI Drilling Pty pleaded guilty to three charges and were remanded to 26 October 2012 for sentencing
- Pike River Coal Limited (In Receivership) has been remanded until 26 October 2012 for formal proof by the Ministry of nine charges. The Receivers have indicated they will be taking no further part in the legal process.
- The 12 charges against Peter Whittall have been adjourned at the request of his lawyers until 25 October 2012 because his legal representatives still require time to consider the evidence provided under disclosure to him. The Judge noted he expected Mr Whittall to plead on this date.
The Statement of Facts [pdf, 7 pages, 192 kB] relating to VLI Drilling Pty is available.
Phase 4 submission
2 April 2012
This is the Department of Labour’s submission to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Pike River mine tragedy. It deals with policy aspects for the future.
Department of Labour Pike River investigation
The Department of Labour has begun an investigation into the tragedy at Pike River Coal mine.
- The investigation will be carried out under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992
- It will be one of the larger investigations the Department of Labour has undertaken
- We will be trying to find out what led to the accident, whether anything could have been done to prevent it and what steps could be taken to prevent a similar incident in the future.
