The perspective at the New Zealand Mine has gotten worse. The methane gas levels within the Pike River Mine are unacceptably high, and make rescuing the trapped men an impossibly tall order. A rescue may be too hazardous to mount, and it’s not known if the men are still alive.
Hazardous gas confirmed in New Zealand Mine
The 29 miners may not be able to get rescued. The New Zealand mine conditions will determine what happens. The Telegraph reports that dangerously large amounts of methane were shown within the air samples taken three days after the blast occurred on Friday, Nov 12. Methane is a particularly volatile gas that is a common by-product of coal mining, and can cause Mine explosions. A bomb disposal robot could be sent down into the Mine. This will allow the scenario to be assessed better. However, the battery operated robot will only work in fresh air, and a methane rich atmosphere in the Mine would prevent it from working.
Mine in Chile not working as well
Officials in Chili have had officials from New Zealand calling frantically for help. Since 33 men from the Chilean Mine accident were able to walk away, the Chilean officials ought to be of some use. The main difference that makes thing the hardest is the Pike River coal Mine outside Greymouth is a coal Mine while the Chilean Mine was a copper and gold Mine. Dangerous explosive gases are released by coal mines, like methane, as the coal ores composition. Preparing for death is something the New Zealand officials are doing as they are "planning for all outcomes" that could come from this. USA Today reports this.
Can't connect at all
No communications have yet been established with the trapped New Zealand miners. Nobody has answered the phone line to the Mine even though it has rung consistently. New Zealand is known for being safe when it comes to mining. Throughout the whole world, there have been fewer accidents than there were anywhere else.
Articles cited
The Telegraph
telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/newzealand/8151428/New-Zealand-mine-relatives-told-to-brace-for-deaths.html
USA Today
No comments:
Post a Comment