Forum Home
PC World Chat
Thread ID: 118954	2011-06-28 08:05:00	Pike River Mine Re-entry	Iantech (16386)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1212905	2011-06-28 09:54:00	Waits for Digby to put his :2cents: in!	Snorkbox (15764)
1212906	2011-06-28 10:27:00	I'd expect two spots to show the greatest damage (with the exception of areas damaged by subsequent fires, which could be anywhere) One being the area immediately around the original blast - wherever that was. The second being the start of the exit shaft, being the only exit (bar the air vents) for the explosive gases. As the explosion went off there was a maze of tunnels and off-shoots for the explosive blast to expand into (and consequently to lose much of its force in the process - liken it to a vehicles muffler). Once the maze of tunnels had all become somewhat pressurized the bulk of the force would have been spent on the remaining exits for the gases, being primarily the exit tunnel (which they likened to the barrel of a gun), with the greatest force being on the start of the tunnel (from the inside end), with progressively reducing force the closer the gases got to the opening face of the tunnel which we've all seen. By that point the gases would have cooled somewhat - by transferring their heat into the tunnel walls, and in the process the force of the gas would also have been reduced a bit. Thanks to sealing the exits and vents the mine is now reported to be at ~2% O2, so as long as they keep the exit closed there should be sod all risk of fire or explosion, but consequently it has to be a long, long trek in breathing apparatus all the way in and back. They'll be walking in with literally dozens of air cylinders to litter the route with vital air supplies in prep for any escape before they attempt any body recovery. You can't just drop your expired kit and expect to walk out with 2% O2 in the atmosphere.	Paul.Cov (425)
1212907	2011-06-28 10:30:00	Anyway, back to the bold text above -- according to the maps shown here from old article (www.nzherald.co.nz) and the comment the original explosion was estimated at 2.5 kilometres from the entrance and "they started setting up a new seal 168 metres in from the entrance", Personally I wouldn't expect to see much damage close to the actual entrance - wait till they get a lot closer, then they will see damage. 168 Metres and 2.5 KM is a big difference. Exactly, the first 2.0km will be dead boring because right from the word go it was said that the structural integrity of the tunnel for that distance hadn't been compromised by the first explosion and possibly not by the second either. Whether anything has happened meantime is another question but my guess would be not much. Good to see some action as opposed to hand-wringing anyway.	B.M. (505)
1212908	2011-06-28 22:36:00	Thanks Snork! All I can say is that I am sure the inquiry will prove that if they had gone in within the first few hours they might have saved a few guys. I think I just heard that when those two guys walked out of the mine there was no none there to meet them !	Digby (677)
1212909	2011-06-29 00:21:00	Thanks Snork! All I can say is that I am sure the inquiry will prove that if they had gone in within the first few hours they might have saved a few guys. I think I just heard that when those two guys walked out of the mine there was no none there to meet them ! Quite right Digby, one of the survivors had to call for help from the phone at the tunnel entrance. There was nobody there to meet them as they expected and it took ages for help to arrive. Then, as a bonus, it took 51 minutes from the known time of the explosion for anyone to notify the emergency services. And of course “The Mines Rescue Service was denied entry to the mine - a decision made during a conference call to Wellington, Morris said” which leaves me wondering why they had a trained “Mines Rescue Service” if they were to be rendered impotent by a shiny ass, (with a fluro jacket) on the end of a phone miles away. Yes there’s much much more to come. I’m picking there could be further injuries as those involved collide ducking for cover. ;)	B.M. (505)
1212910	2011-06-29 01:26:00	And of course when the inquiry finds the right course of action was taken in regards to mine entry as no one had any means to ascertain the safety of the shaft you guys will be baying for blood and shouting conspiracy. :groan: It makes no difference if in hindsight someone can prove 100 percent that the shaft was safe to enter, and not just because no one can prove any such thing. The tragedy is in what lead up to the event, The inquiry should be focusing on who was responsible for those conditions and what needs to be done to prevent it happening again elsewhere, rather then internet twats trying to attack those involved in ensuring no one else died in the aftermath. Of anyone needs to be shot its the mine management, If this were China they would already have been hanged.	Metla (12)
1212911	2011-06-29 01:55:00	And what if they find all the mens' bodies behind a rockfall in a side cave waiting to be rescued but dead from oxygen starvation due to the GAG machine?	zqwerty (97)
1212912	2011-06-29 01:57:00	And what if a rescue team had entered the mine and there was another immediate explosion and the loss of said team?	Snorkbox (15764)
1 2