Coal may seem like a cheap fuel source but factoring in lives lost and the damage to the atmosphere and the health effects caused by environmental pollution the real cost is unimaginable.
Rescuers waiting
Whittall said the horizontal mine tunnel would make the rescue effort easier than if the shaft was at a steep angle.
“We’re not a deep-shafted mine so men and rescue teams can get in and out quite effectively, and they’ll be able to explore the mine quite quickly,” he said.
“They will work throughout the night and they’ll work until they can go right throughout the mine and determine the extent of the incident and the safety of our employees.”
Rescue crews were assembling at the opening of the mine but had not yet entered.
The St John Ambulance service said three rescue helicopters and six ambulances had headed to the mine.
The police area commander said details were still sparse but initial reports suggested those still in the mine could be up to 1,500m underground.
Gerry Brownlee, the New Zealand energy minister, said emergency exit tunnels were built into the mine but that he did not know if they could be accessed by the miners.
