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Tragedy at Pike River Mine: How and Why 29 Men Died
New Zealand Post Book Award, Best First Book, Non-fiction
On a sunny afternoon in November 2010, a massive explosion rocked the underground Pike River coal mine, deep in a mountain range in New Zealand's South Island. More than an hour and a half later, two ashen men stumbled from the mine's entrance to report that 29 men remained trapped inside. Samples revealed extremely high levels of carbon monoxide in the mine and the presence of fire. For five agonizing days the men's families and friends waited and prayed until, after a second violent blast, all hope was extinguished. Tragedy at Pike River Mine is a dramatic, suspenseful account of a disaster that shook the nation—and the world. Pike River was no ordinary mine. It had been touted by the company and by government ministers as a showcase of modern mining. Shares in the company had been rapidly taken up by investors, swept away by predictions of extraordinary returns. Beneath the hype, though, lay mismanagement, mistakes and willful blindness that would cost men their lives. Based on extensive research and more than a hundred interviews, this powerful book provides chilling insights into the causes of the tragedy and puts a human face on the people who suffered.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
323 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 10, 2013
31 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
August 8, 2014
Finalist NZ Post Book Awards 2014
The best book I've read this year.
I'm a tree hugging, muesli munching greenie myself, but this was a mine that even the staunchest advocates of mining had concerns over. Some of the original samples were bubbling with methane gas. Plenty of people, good, well qualified people, raised their concerns. Many quit, unwilling to pay with their lives.
I rarely cry when reading non fiction but this book moved me to tears, reading how poorly the families of the dead miners & contractors were treated by this company.
To quote Fiona Rotherham, Fairfax Business Day
The best book I've read this year.
I'm a tree hugging, muesli munching greenie myself, but this was a mine that even the staunchest advocates of mining had concerns over. Some of the original samples were bubbling with methane gas. Plenty of people, good, well qualified people, raised their concerns. Many quit, unwilling to pay with their lives.
I rarely cry when reading non fiction but this book moved me to tears, reading how poorly the families of the dead miners & contractors were treated by this company.
To quote Fiona Rotherham, Fairfax Business Day
Absorbing & heart-wrenching, this book exposes corporate & regulatory failures of which all New Zealanders should be aware & ashamed
March 21, 2014
I had this foisted on me by my parents as a must-read and, even though I wasn't particularly interested in the subject (tragic, yes, but not something I'm interested in enough to read about) I thought I'd do my duty and read it.
Totally engrossing. I would say unputdownable, except I kept having to put it down and rage at the world (my poor husband makes a good stand-in). The incompetency, the gross negligence, the focus on profit before safety, the ignoring time and time again of warnings of imminent danger - warnings coming from so many workers and staff throughout the history of the mine.
Superbly written. It felt like a horror novel, the sense of forboding. So many times it could have been prevented. Gah, I feel more raging coming on.
Totally engrossing. I would say unputdownable, except I kept having to put it down and rage at the world (my poor husband makes a good stand-in). The incompetency, the gross negligence, the focus on profit before safety, the ignoring time and time again of warnings of imminent danger - warnings coming from so many workers and staff throughout the history of the mine.
Superbly written. It felt like a horror novel, the sense of forboding. So many times it could have been prevented. Gah, I feel more raging coming on.
January 22, 2014
On November 19th 2010 there was a massive explosion in the Pike River coal mine on New Zealand's West Coast. There were 31 men inside the mine. Only two managed to escape. The remaining 29 remain buried deep within the mine to this day.
Rebecca MacFie is a journalist who initially covered the story for the New Zealand Listener, a current affairs magazine. What she uncovered with regards to the operations of the mine while working for the Listener filled her with such rage and grief that she felt compelled to make the story understandable to a wider audience.
After two years of diligent investigative journalism and research this book is the result. It is a very well written and compelling account of the absolutely preventable deaths of 29 men.
The story of the Pike River Mine is the story of the evils of laissez-faire capitalism. This tragedy occurred because of a confluence of events shaped by the deregulation of government, the neutering of trade unions, and corporate greed.
This is a book that should be read by all New Zealanders.
Rebecca MacFie is a journalist who initially covered the story for the New Zealand Listener, a current affairs magazine. What she uncovered with regards to the operations of the mine while working for the Listener filled her with such rage and grief that she felt compelled to make the story understandable to a wider audience.
After two years of diligent investigative journalism and research this book is the result. It is a very well written and compelling account of the absolutely preventable deaths of 29 men.
The story of the Pike River Mine is the story of the evils of laissez-faire capitalism. This tragedy occurred because of a confluence of events shaped by the deregulation of government, the neutering of trade unions, and corporate greed.
This is a book that should be read by all New Zealanders.
August 26, 2018
I highly recommend this book to anyone (workers, employers and unionists) involved in workplace health and safety. It drives home the importance of taking it seriously and doing it right.
April 2, 2019
3.5 Stars!
“If methane collects in the air at concentrations of between 5 and 15%, it will explode in the presence of even a tiny source of ignition-the friction of metal picks on stone, for instance, or the spark from a machine. Even the small amount of energy produced by a cell phone, wristwatch battery or crushed aluminium can (among items banned in underground coal mines) can be enough to ignite an explosive build-up of methane.”
At around 3.44 pm on November 19, 2010 a methane explosion ripped through the Pike River coal mine, in New Zealand’s South Island. A further three explosions would occur over the following days, destroying any hope of recovering anyone alive. All in 29 men lost their lives, and as of April 1 2019 they all still remain where they fell.
“There was only one way in and one way out-via the long stone tunnel, a design that ‘would not be accepted in most developed underground coal mining nations.’”
Macfie gives us a thorough yet depressing catalogue of failures, oversights and shortcuts which show us that it was always going to be a matter of “When” rather than “If” a disaster like this occurred. Unfortunately this is another case filed under avoidable industrial disasters waiting to happen. The world is full of them. Whether it’s the countless examples from English speaking countries or the larger scale ones such as Fukushima in Japan or Chernobyl, USSR, which impact far beyond their own location or country, there are countless examples, and as long as we have the toxic combination of incompetence, greed and enough people who consistently value excess profit over human life then it will always be business as usual.
“‘I used to say, “Get out before it’s too late.” He said, “Mum they tell you to shut your face and get the coal out. They just don’t want to listen.”
What this illustrates is that no matter who you are as long as you can get hold of the right connections in the right places and can generate enough capital then you can do almost anything you want, regardless of the human cost or environmental impact. You do not even have to be good at it. In fact you do not even have to know what you are doing. You just have to have the means to temporarily convince enough people in the right places that you are, and if you cannot do that, then there is always other ways.
“In the 48 days before the explosion there had been 21 reports of methane levels reaching explosive levels, and 27 reports of lesser, but potentially dangerous, volumes of the gas.”
As long as we have the same old circus of corrupt politicians, narrow minded multi-nationals and well remunerated lobbyists to keep regulation weak and transparency non-existent, this culture will never change. Tarted up self-important enquiries can huff and puff all they want, but when it results in zero prison sentences and a series of pitifully insulting fines, all it does is send a nice clear thumbs up signal to any other corporations who would be weighing up cost v benefit equations to cutting corners for the lure of profits.
This isn’t an easy book to read, in that it really shows us the darker and uglier side of humanity. The lack of remorse from those responsible is sickening, we are told, “No one representing the company and its mine said sorry for their part in a calamity that claimed 29 lives, scarred families and tormented a community.”
It’s interesting when we look at how John Key and the National government chose how to respond to the Pike River disaster and then we look at how Jacinda Ardern and the Labour/Coalition government chose how to respond to the Christchurch mosque shootings. Not only did she and her government set an example on how to respond in a humane and compassionate way, but it could also be argued that they have also fared better on the Pike River disaster too, as they have since established the Pike River Recovery Agency in 2017, at the time of writing they plan to re-enter the mine during the first week of May 2019.
“If methane collects in the air at concentrations of between 5 and 15%, it will explode in the presence of even a tiny source of ignition-the friction of metal picks on stone, for instance, or the spark from a machine. Even the small amount of energy produced by a cell phone, wristwatch battery or crushed aluminium can (among items banned in underground coal mines) can be enough to ignite an explosive build-up of methane.”
At around 3.44 pm on November 19, 2010 a methane explosion ripped through the Pike River coal mine, in New Zealand’s South Island. A further three explosions would occur over the following days, destroying any hope of recovering anyone alive. All in 29 men lost their lives, and as of April 1 2019 they all still remain where they fell.
“There was only one way in and one way out-via the long stone tunnel, a design that ‘would not be accepted in most developed underground coal mining nations.’”
Macfie gives us a thorough yet depressing catalogue of failures, oversights and shortcuts which show us that it was always going to be a matter of “When” rather than “If” a disaster like this occurred. Unfortunately this is another case filed under avoidable industrial disasters waiting to happen. The world is full of them. Whether it’s the countless examples from English speaking countries or the larger scale ones such as Fukushima in Japan or Chernobyl, USSR, which impact far beyond their own location or country, there are countless examples, and as long as we have the toxic combination of incompetence, greed and enough people who consistently value excess profit over human life then it will always be business as usual.
“‘I used to say, “Get out before it’s too late.” He said, “Mum they tell you to shut your face and get the coal out. They just don’t want to listen.”
What this illustrates is that no matter who you are as long as you can get hold of the right connections in the right places and can generate enough capital then you can do almost anything you want, regardless of the human cost or environmental impact. You do not even have to be good at it. In fact you do not even have to know what you are doing. You just have to have the means to temporarily convince enough people in the right places that you are, and if you cannot do that, then there is always other ways.
“In the 48 days before the explosion there had been 21 reports of methane levels reaching explosive levels, and 27 reports of lesser, but potentially dangerous, volumes of the gas.”
As long as we have the same old circus of corrupt politicians, narrow minded multi-nationals and well remunerated lobbyists to keep regulation weak and transparency non-existent, this culture will never change. Tarted up self-important enquiries can huff and puff all they want, but when it results in zero prison sentences and a series of pitifully insulting fines, all it does is send a nice clear thumbs up signal to any other corporations who would be weighing up cost v benefit equations to cutting corners for the lure of profits.
This isn’t an easy book to read, in that it really shows us the darker and uglier side of humanity. The lack of remorse from those responsible is sickening, we are told, “No one representing the company and its mine said sorry for their part in a calamity that claimed 29 lives, scarred families and tormented a community.”
It’s interesting when we look at how John Key and the National government chose how to respond to the Pike River disaster and then we look at how Jacinda Ardern and the Labour/Coalition government chose how to respond to the Christchurch mosque shootings. Not only did she and her government set an example on how to respond in a humane and compassionate way, but it could also be argued that they have also fared better on the Pike River disaster too, as they have since established the Pike River Recovery Agency in 2017, at the time of writing they plan to re-enter the mine during the first week of May 2019.
October 10, 2023
Well-written and very readable. Which is impressive given that the topic is not only very sad, but also very dense and technical. And the author did not hold back from putting clear responsibility in many parties. This mine was a mess start to finish. Gives me much more understanding when you hear things in the media about the Pike miners' family's complaints, coz they've been done dirty, too.
December 14, 2024
A harrowing, but incredibly important, read. Macfie demonstrates the dangers - and devastating conferences - that are almost inevitable when health & safety and commercial success are viewed as incompatible goals.
October 14, 2022
Written in 2013, three years after the Pike River mine exploded and killed 29 men, journalist Rebecca Macfie documents events leading to the avoidable tragedy. This is the third reprint published in 2021.
I watched the horror unfold on national tv, have seen the families fight for information, honesty, accountability, visited the Paparoa Range, walked the miners track and visited the memorial. I came away thinking that nothing has changed since the earliest NZ mine tragedies during the 1800's.
Shame on you Peter Whittall, for you are responsible for this. Shame on the Directors of NZ Gas and Oil NZOG exploration who were also on the Board of Pike River. You knew about its operational risks and refused to speak up because it could affect the share price.
Good on the numerous miners who did their best to make their concerns heard then voted with their feet, to the first responders for their bravery and to Rebecca for trying to make sense of senseless situations.
A small part of the mined area was on Department of Conservation (DoC) land, however media blamed it for opposing an open cast mine. The book tells how such a mine was impossible in the terrain. DoC is shown to be cooperative and supportive of mining on public land.
The certainty of the Pike River explosion builds from poor initial decision making, then gains a momentum which eventually becomes unstoppable.
Many people wrested the mine back on track but others derailed it at critical points. The mine inspectors could have stepped in. They knew that the plans for rules and safety procedures were incomplete (30%). They knew few procedures were followed or else followed in part in a less than timely fashion.
Relaxed regulation of industry standards by central government during the 90's and inadequate staff support was an underlying cause of lack of external audits. Inspectors had information only from a prior inspector. The book says "he wasn't shown information" on methane levels although Pike River was legally required to do so. Yet knowing this, he let them continue to operate illegally. The book says the law was vague, however it was clear on that particular matter. The inspector admitted bowing to the Pike River profile and being under resourced. Workspace NZ is later charged and fined for inaction.
To begin an operation like this, without a proper preliminary survey, was foolhardy. This lead to the poor mine design. Nothing, however, can excuse the inadequate methane gas sensors, inappropriate equipment, and one emergency exit that was essentially a chimney.
I was gripped by the writing and couldn't put the book down. About halfway through, however, the story loses momentum. There is repetition of events and back and forward narrative as different people's experiences of Pike management are recounted. A timeline of key events at the back does not help. It needs a rewrite and/or a supporting bullet point timeline. Numerous colour photos are great but a map and locations of surface features, the fire and debris is needed.
In the chapter "Who will say stop", Rebecca often contradicts herself. The book says that the Board relied on White's assurances that methane levels were low but had no independent way of checking this. This contradicts a following statement that in Nov 2010 an external audit was discussed. The Chair knew of serious safety concerns but did nothing and told the Board nothing. Neither did another member also on the Pike Board.
Apparently White thought the methane spikes were management concerns, not board concerns. What utter nonsense. He is negligent. The author's claim they needed training in mine management to make good decisions is unfounded. Anyone can understand methane levels and reach accurate conclusions without any special training.
White privately calls Whittall a "dodgy git" yet White reports to the board that safety measures are in place and apparently assumes incomplete safety plans are being correctly implemented. He knows about the high methane and poor design of safety exits and could have stepped in and closed it down. Ironically he is later employed (after he is fired by Pike River) by the receivers.
Meanwhile NZGO tried to keep Pike afloat and looking good to potential buyers, as they are also aware of the financial and safety risks. They could have liquidated it before or after the tragedy and saved everyone a lot of angst but didn't.
The remainder of the book describes in harrowing detail how the burden of the tragedy is left with the miners who lost their lives, their families, Greymouth and wider New Zealand. The mining company, the Board, Whittall etc are given a get out of jail free card. The blame falls on government regulation, or lack of it. The Minister of Labour of the National Party (head of Worksafe NZ) resigns. The role of the Minister for Enterprise and his response needs to be included as he too is culpable.
Even when first responders arrive, Whittall's modus operandi remains the same. He down plays it's seriousness, undermines others, shifts blame, plays on people's emotions and makes promises on which Pike River has no capacity or intention to deliver.
The emergency response is a battle of heart over head. The control site was poorly managed as was key evidence and communication, particularly with the families. Within hours it was known there would be no survivors, yet the media and families were allowed to carry this false hope for a long time. An analysis of the media is needed. The gulf between hopes/wishful thinking and evidence is a major theme which Rebecca gives too light a touch.
I hope this book will act as a warning so that this doesn't happen again. This tragedy was not primarily caused by systems or procedures or communications or greed _ those failures were symptoms of something far worse. It was because many individuals lacked morals, courage and competency.
Pike River was fined over $3 million which they refused to accept or acknowledge. Whittall offered an apology, which was rejected by some families and withdrawn by him. Then or separately or earlier Worksafe NZ struck a deal that Pike River would compensate the families $3 million in exchange for no prosecution. How can Worksafe NZ do this when they are also at fault? Were families involved? Police have power to lay criminal charges, not Worksafe NZ, but despite the high methane levels and incident reports they backed down because they had no concrete evidence on how the gas caught fire. That is ridiculous. This is a major failure of the justice system that needs more discussion.
During the emergency response power shifted to Wellington. What were the various agencies roles and responsibilities? Who took control? The government? Whittall? It's a crucial turning point with inadequate detail. At this point I became quite frustrated and almost put the book down.
Rebecca, you've done a great job over a short time frame but when you reprint again, please rewrite from post explosion and include all the new timeline information in the text. Or write another book. Include a statement about how you found reporting on this, an analysis of the media, how the families were and are perceived by the public, their relationship with each other and various agencies, profiles of the Board and key politicians, the role of the police and any legal or other management changes that are relevant. Include a bullet point timeline.
Discuss the public private partnership ideology of the incumbent National government and how they believed business would take safety seriously without the need for heavy regulation as it would not risk undermining itself (pun intended). Ask the then Minister of Enterprise if he has now changed his view.
It feels like the story is only half done. There are so many unanswered questions.
Eventually an enquiry and judgement laid responsibility and fines at Whittall's and Pike River's feet. The NZ government never recovered its substantial ($160 million) loans, and paid out many more millions to stabilise the air in the mine and secure footage of a body, to compensate families and buy back the mine.
We now have millions of dollars of machinery and equipment buried on the edge of a National Park. Can it collapse? Is it likely to still be on fire? Was some gear recovered? A description of what the government now owns on behalf of us all is needed.
29 dead men remain in an undeclared grave that now belongs to the government mining company Solid Energy who may open it and recover them when coal prices rise again.
What a bloody travesty.
These men do not lie in peace.
Read this book, lest we forget.
I watched the horror unfold on national tv, have seen the families fight for information, honesty, accountability, visited the Paparoa Range, walked the miners track and visited the memorial. I came away thinking that nothing has changed since the earliest NZ mine tragedies during the 1800's.
Shame on you Peter Whittall, for you are responsible for this. Shame on the Directors of NZ Gas and Oil NZOG exploration who were also on the Board of Pike River. You knew about its operational risks and refused to speak up because it could affect the share price.
Good on the numerous miners who did their best to make their concerns heard then voted with their feet, to the first responders for their bravery and to Rebecca for trying to make sense of senseless situations.
A small part of the mined area was on Department of Conservation (DoC) land, however media blamed it for opposing an open cast mine. The book tells how such a mine was impossible in the terrain. DoC is shown to be cooperative and supportive of mining on public land.
The certainty of the Pike River explosion builds from poor initial decision making, then gains a momentum which eventually becomes unstoppable.
Many people wrested the mine back on track but others derailed it at critical points. The mine inspectors could have stepped in. They knew that the plans for rules and safety procedures were incomplete (30%). They knew few procedures were followed or else followed in part in a less than timely fashion.
Relaxed regulation of industry standards by central government during the 90's and inadequate staff support was an underlying cause of lack of external audits. Inspectors had information only from a prior inspector. The book says "he wasn't shown information" on methane levels although Pike River was legally required to do so. Yet knowing this, he let them continue to operate illegally. The book says the law was vague, however it was clear on that particular matter. The inspector admitted bowing to the Pike River profile and being under resourced. Workspace NZ is later charged and fined for inaction.
To begin an operation like this, without a proper preliminary survey, was foolhardy. This lead to the poor mine design. Nothing, however, can excuse the inadequate methane gas sensors, inappropriate equipment, and one emergency exit that was essentially a chimney.
I was gripped by the writing and couldn't put the book down. About halfway through, however, the story loses momentum. There is repetition of events and back and forward narrative as different people's experiences of Pike management are recounted. A timeline of key events at the back does not help. It needs a rewrite and/or a supporting bullet point timeline. Numerous colour photos are great but a map and locations of surface features, the fire and debris is needed.
In the chapter "Who will say stop", Rebecca often contradicts herself. The book says that the Board relied on White's assurances that methane levels were low but had no independent way of checking this. This contradicts a following statement that in Nov 2010 an external audit was discussed. The Chair knew of serious safety concerns but did nothing and told the Board nothing. Neither did another member also on the Pike Board.
Apparently White thought the methane spikes were management concerns, not board concerns. What utter nonsense. He is negligent. The author's claim they needed training in mine management to make good decisions is unfounded. Anyone can understand methane levels and reach accurate conclusions without any special training.
White privately calls Whittall a "dodgy git" yet White reports to the board that safety measures are in place and apparently assumes incomplete safety plans are being correctly implemented. He knows about the high methane and poor design of safety exits and could have stepped in and closed it down. Ironically he is later employed (after he is fired by Pike River) by the receivers.
Meanwhile NZGO tried to keep Pike afloat and looking good to potential buyers, as they are also aware of the financial and safety risks. They could have liquidated it before or after the tragedy and saved everyone a lot of angst but didn't.
The remainder of the book describes in harrowing detail how the burden of the tragedy is left with the miners who lost their lives, their families, Greymouth and wider New Zealand. The mining company, the Board, Whittall etc are given a get out of jail free card. The blame falls on government regulation, or lack of it. The Minister of Labour of the National Party (head of Worksafe NZ) resigns. The role of the Minister for Enterprise and his response needs to be included as he too is culpable.
Even when first responders arrive, Whittall's modus operandi remains the same. He down plays it's seriousness, undermines others, shifts blame, plays on people's emotions and makes promises on which Pike River has no capacity or intention to deliver.
The emergency response is a battle of heart over head. The control site was poorly managed as was key evidence and communication, particularly with the families. Within hours it was known there would be no survivors, yet the media and families were allowed to carry this false hope for a long time. An analysis of the media is needed. The gulf between hopes/wishful thinking and evidence is a major theme which Rebecca gives too light a touch.
I hope this book will act as a warning so that this doesn't happen again. This tragedy was not primarily caused by systems or procedures or communications or greed _ those failures were symptoms of something far worse. It was because many individuals lacked morals, courage and competency.
Pike River was fined over $3 million which they refused to accept or acknowledge. Whittall offered an apology, which was rejected by some families and withdrawn by him. Then or separately or earlier Worksafe NZ struck a deal that Pike River would compensate the families $3 million in exchange for no prosecution. How can Worksafe NZ do this when they are also at fault? Were families involved? Police have power to lay criminal charges, not Worksafe NZ, but despite the high methane levels and incident reports they backed down because they had no concrete evidence on how the gas caught fire. That is ridiculous. This is a major failure of the justice system that needs more discussion.
During the emergency response power shifted to Wellington. What were the various agencies roles and responsibilities? Who took control? The government? Whittall? It's a crucial turning point with inadequate detail. At this point I became quite frustrated and almost put the book down.
Rebecca, you've done a great job over a short time frame but when you reprint again, please rewrite from post explosion and include all the new timeline information in the text. Or write another book. Include a statement about how you found reporting on this, an analysis of the media, how the families were and are perceived by the public, their relationship with each other and various agencies, profiles of the Board and key politicians, the role of the police and any legal or other management changes that are relevant. Include a bullet point timeline.
Discuss the public private partnership ideology of the incumbent National government and how they believed business would take safety seriously without the need for heavy regulation as it would not risk undermining itself (pun intended). Ask the then Minister of Enterprise if he has now changed his view.
It feels like the story is only half done. There are so many unanswered questions.
Eventually an enquiry and judgement laid responsibility and fines at Whittall's and Pike River's feet. The NZ government never recovered its substantial ($160 million) loans, and paid out many more millions to stabilise the air in the mine and secure footage of a body, to compensate families and buy back the mine.
We now have millions of dollars of machinery and equipment buried on the edge of a National Park. Can it collapse? Is it likely to still be on fire? Was some gear recovered? A description of what the government now owns on behalf of us all is needed.
29 dead men remain in an undeclared grave that now belongs to the government mining company Solid Energy who may open it and recover them when coal prices rise again.
What a bloody travesty.
These men do not lie in peace.
Read this book, lest we forget.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2019
An important book for understanding contemporary NZ's class relations. There is more than enough evidence in here to prosecute Pike River Coal's leadership, but this hasn't happened because - although Macfie doesn't say this - the justice system is rigged against the working class.
March 14, 2016
NZOG, owner of the Pike River mining license, attempts to appoint a specialist contractor to carry out the mining. No suitable tenders are received (too expensive?). They decide to do the job themselves. The first, and one of the biggest, mistake they made.
Then: poor level of geotechnical investigation, poor design - including an unusable emergency exit, an unstable management team, huge pressure to get the coal out the door (particularly with the sky-high market price) - but hampered by rubbish equipment and a large number of unskilled workers, and too much gas in the mine. And extremely unreliable gas detectors.
Beyond belief.
Please, fellow Kiwis, read this.
Then: poor level of geotechnical investigation, poor design - including an unusable emergency exit, an unstable management team, huge pressure to get the coal out the door (particularly with the sky-high market price) - but hampered by rubbish equipment and a large number of unskilled workers, and too much gas in the mine. And extremely unreliable gas detectors.
Beyond belief.
Please, fellow Kiwis, read this.
March 29, 2014
A brilliant and extremely well written expose of a shocking chain of events that led to the deaths of 29 men in the Pike River Mine, West Coast, New Zealand.
In short, the de-regulation of the coal mining industry in the 90s meant there was a severe shortage of mine inspectors and shoddy, dangerous practices were allowed to develop in NZ mines.
Following so closely on the heels of the Christchurch earthquake in 2011, the Pike River Mine disaster was a tragic end to a year of preventable deaths.
In short, the de-regulation of the coal mining industry in the 90s meant there was a severe shortage of mine inspectors and shoddy, dangerous practices were allowed to develop in NZ mines.
Following so closely on the heels of the Christchurch earthquake in 2011, the Pike River Mine disaster was a tragic end to a year of preventable deaths.
December 29, 2013
Macfie takes a matter-of-fact, informative and absorbing approach to the events that led to the deaths of 29 men in a New Zealand coal mine, and the horrible experiences of their families afterward. No one could read this without feeling outrage and grief. For the families, who have had little justice in the aftermath of the disaster, this book at least gives them and their dead relatives the respect that comes from openness and honesty.
January 3, 2015
Riveting book about the Pike River mine tragedy that claimed 29 lives on the West Coast of New Zealand in 2010. The book highlights the mind-blowing acts of incompetence and stupidity that led to the tragedy.
December 28, 2016
If you think that living in NZ protects you from the worst excesses of capitalism, with buildings that are sound and workplaces that conform to regulations....think again. This riveting book shows, in a very unemotional way, how step after step was taken to ensure that Pike River Coal company was NEVER held to regulatory account for its repeated safety failings. Did you know that this type of mine, with one working exit, would never be allowed in Australia? Did you know that the department of labour had one mine inspector for all of the mines in NZ, and that he could not hope to adequately inspect them all? But in the shonky Jonky era, if it makes money, then she'll be right NZ, fire away mate!
There are staggering details in this book but it is not that technical, and actually it reads like a thriller. In the end, you are left with the impression that this mine should never have been allowed into production with the glaring safety features it lacked - things like working methane detectors (methane is the main danger in coal mining), and a working emergency exit. The company was focused on profits ahead of the safety of its people, and a better analogy for the Key years I could not imagine.
This book made me extremely mad that I live in a country where the health and safety of workers has seemingly regressed so much, on the back of stripped back regulation and 'authorities' who are so starved of cash and resources, they cannot really regulate at all. We are witnessing a deliberate strategy to make sure that government does not get in the way of business. The Pike 29 have paid the price for this folly.
There are staggering details in this book but it is not that technical, and actually it reads like a thriller. In the end, you are left with the impression that this mine should never have been allowed into production with the glaring safety features it lacked - things like working methane detectors (methane is the main danger in coal mining), and a working emergency exit. The company was focused on profits ahead of the safety of its people, and a better analogy for the Key years I could not imagine.
This book made me extremely mad that I live in a country where the health and safety of workers has seemingly regressed so much, on the back of stripped back regulation and 'authorities' who are so starved of cash and resources, they cannot really regulate at all. We are witnessing a deliberate strategy to make sure that government does not get in the way of business. The Pike 29 have paid the price for this folly.
July 16, 2019
Rebecca Macfie has done an incredible job to organize the huge amount of material relating to the tragedy into a chronological narrative, written in exceedingly readable journalistic prose, and free of emotion or personal judgement on the personnel involved.
This book is a tremendous indictment on the slovenly manner in which the so-called regulation of the mining industry was imposed by government agencies. Sadly, it would seem that the "self policing" the deregulating government was so fond of (doubtless for cost reasons) after Richard Prebble et al, really meant no control at all. Of course the money men were there to push the boundary as far as possible.
The mine had features that would not be general practice or permitted in many other jurisdictions - (1) the second emergency exit was the (vertical) 100m ventilation shaft (trials of its use did not succeed), (2) the ventilation fan and its non-flameproofed switchgear was IN the mine, in an area supposedly protected from methane but not really, (3) this was a very gassy mine but methane monitoring was very limited, some of the monitoring stations gave misleading (incorrect) readings, and the location of some of the stations was mislabelled in the control room. I guess "she'll be right" or even "we're so good, we don't need all that fuss" must have prevailed.
This is an important book, and a pleasure to read, albeit a grim topic - that it is a page turner makes it all the more accessible. It should be read by anyone concerned about government regulation of dangerous industries, or by anyone interested in "limited government" and how this may fail to meet reasonable societal expectations.
This book is a tremendous indictment on the slovenly manner in which the so-called regulation of the mining industry was imposed by government agencies. Sadly, it would seem that the "self policing" the deregulating government was so fond of (doubtless for cost reasons) after Richard Prebble et al, really meant no control at all. Of course the money men were there to push the boundary as far as possible.
The mine had features that would not be general practice or permitted in many other jurisdictions - (1) the second emergency exit was the (vertical) 100m ventilation shaft (trials of its use did not succeed), (2) the ventilation fan and its non-flameproofed switchgear was IN the mine, in an area supposedly protected from methane but not really, (3) this was a very gassy mine but methane monitoring was very limited, some of the monitoring stations gave misleading (incorrect) readings, and the location of some of the stations was mislabelled in the control room. I guess "she'll be right" or even "we're so good, we don't need all that fuss" must have prevailed.
This is an important book, and a pleasure to read, albeit a grim topic - that it is a page turner makes it all the more accessible. It should be read by anyone concerned about government regulation of dangerous industries, or by anyone interested in "limited government" and how this may fail to meet reasonable societal expectations.
April 26, 2020
I would not have read this book if the head of the new recovery agency had not visited work. It really is a great study in how safety can be given lip service in a couple of ways; both in the production of documents and plans/ and in not doing it. In a few places, the book has too much detail for the average reader, but I get why this really is a record at all that happened. It also explains to me some of the reactions to what happened from various people- and the politics since. Below is the website of the agency that has been set up to go into the mine. As at the time of writing this review it has now spent $61m NZD to recover the bodies.
https://www.pikeriverrecovery.govt.nz/
https://www.pikeriverrecovery.govt.nz/
May 25, 2021
Describes in detail the operation & culture at Pike River Coal since inception & through to the explosion that killed 29 men. It becomes sickeningly obvious that what happened was not bad luck, but was inevitable from day one. Every decision at every step of the way in getting the mine operational combined with leadership that gave zero priority to workplace H&S destined the workers to death. The book itself reads like a page turning thriller as it delves into details of one bad decision after another. This should be compulsory reading for any student of H&S, as well as anyone with any sort of management or leadership role in a high risk industry.
November 17, 2024
A thorough, powerful, and emotional piece of investigative journalism. Growing up, the name of Pike River invoked terrible images and imagined suffering. This book serves to expose that this tragic suffering and death was entirely avoidable. This new understanding truly highlights this disaster as a catastrophe at so many levels. This book brought me to tears at the sheer injustice of this event. It flows logically and maintains your attention at each painstakingly specific and accurate detail. An excellent read.
January 11, 2026
A very well written book outlining the facts around Pike River. It is good how the events are portrayed without any bias or judgement allowing the reader to form their own view. To me it is clearly a cautionary tale of optimism, corporate greed, systemic unwinding of government controls resulting in innocent deaths. In this every one loses - the victims, the families, the west coast, those responsible for the decision making, the creditors and the investors..
December 10, 2017
A quote from the final chapter that sums up this litany of bad decisions and non-resolution: "Over the years that investors continued to fund Pike's grandiose predictions, the price of coal was high enough to send men day after day into a flawed and dangerous place. Now that they are dead, the price is not high enough to get them out."
April 11, 2019
A remarkable story of how executives can become blind to mounting issues under their nose that seem starkly obvious in hindsight.
I doubt anyone involved was evil. But they allowed evil things to happen. And good men died. Every company director and senior executive should be forced to read this book whether they want to or not.
I doubt anyone involved was evil. But they allowed evil things to happen. And good men died. Every company director and senior executive should be forced to read this book whether they want to or not.
September 24, 2017
Impressive research by the author who is an investigative journalist. Her comprehensive reporting of the tragedy will be hard to surpass. Others have paid the ultimate price for the breaking up of the Government Mines Inspectorate.
December 20, 2017
This an intelligent book. It is an emotional story, however the author sticks to the facts so we learn what really happened. The systematic and structural incompetence that lead to the loss of all these lives. And how those who lead, walked away scott free....
December 22, 2022
Amazing read but a tragedy that needs to be known in NZ - probably what was responsible for tougher health & safety laws in NZ, Feel for the community and families affected by this event.
March 29, 2023
Very well researched and well written
January 3, 2024
If you have the vaguest interest in New Zealand, mining, money or how corporate negligence can demolish human life without a second thought- this is a must read. I could not put this down.
November 13, 2024
The most devastating book I have ever read. It should never have happened, so many red flags and warnings. Just devastating.
November 6, 2020
This book Is a Labour party Narrative written by the author to protect the interests of her friends And colleagues in thé law judiciary Parliamentary services burocrats NZ Police QCs and Judges.
It's the worst piece of technical forensic Journalism ever written.
Furthermore it was written around the Royal Commission which ommitted an entire Act of Parliament and noone seemed to understand.
In thé least Justice Pankhurst was Ill advised by DOL Burocrats who doctored the Terms of Reference.
Not even a mention.
Macfie fails to understand and critique thé roll of Government and in particular Helen Clark who was the initial catalyst and that she should be in prison.
She signed thé death warrants fór thé měn 11 years before they died.
A Law Professor at Victoria University once described her actions in Government as like and Autistic child pulling the Wings and legs off flies.
Macfie alsø fails to critique thé roles of the families as being complicit in the deception.
Rockhouse was the Safety manager they all knew what was happening and kepr taking thé money.
Thé men got nothing
The Police have all the information most of it never presented.
Thé book Is reviewed this way aš it alludes Its čome to an outcome when It's looked at least than 40 % of the real evidence.
Most recently Is thé appauling Display of thé Labour coalition And that complete moron Andrew Little who was the shop steward for representing the men.
Worse Winston Peters who used it as a Political forhold only for vores.The real story being communicated to him and he failed to act.
Yes this review Is scathing,but it doesnt go far enough in critiquing thé Real facts.
Really another book needs to be written by someone more competent with dealing with the facts and whose political pwrsuasiobs hasnt affected their own judgement and narrative to away the facts.
The men got nothing and died terribly.
I represent them.I am their only advocate.
Not these imposters.
It's the worst piece of technical forensic Journalism ever written.
Furthermore it was written around the Royal Commission which ommitted an entire Act of Parliament and noone seemed to understand.
In thé least Justice Pankhurst was Ill advised by DOL Burocrats who doctored the Terms of Reference.
Not even a mention.
Macfie fails to understand and critique thé roll of Government and in particular Helen Clark who was the initial catalyst and that she should be in prison.
She signed thé death warrants fór thé měn 11 years before they died.
A Law Professor at Victoria University once described her actions in Government as like and Autistic child pulling the Wings and legs off flies.
Macfie alsø fails to critique thé roles of the families as being complicit in the deception.
Rockhouse was the Safety manager they all knew what was happening and kepr taking thé money.
Thé men got nothing
The Police have all the information most of it never presented.
Thé book Is reviewed this way aš it alludes Its čome to an outcome when It's looked at least than 40 % of the real evidence.
Most recently Is thé appauling Display of thé Labour coalition And that complete moron Andrew Little who was the shop steward for representing the men.
Worse Winston Peters who used it as a Political forhold only for vores.The real story being communicated to him and he failed to act.
Yes this review Is scathing,but it doesnt go far enough in critiquing thé Real facts.
Really another book needs to be written by someone more competent with dealing with the facts and whose political pwrsuasiobs hasnt affected their own judgement and narrative to away the facts.
The men got nothing and died terribly.
I represent them.I am their only advocate.
Not these imposters.
October 31, 2014
This book just sent me into a 40 minute rant that involved the word 'outrage' a lot - it so clearly documents the (yes, outrageous) incompetence, negligence, gutlessness, and arrogance that sent 29 men to their deaths at work. Macfie makes the case, going right back to the first establishment of the mine at Pike River, that this was a completely avoidable disaster waiting to happen.
The book covers the establishment of the mine, its first year of operation, the disaster itself, and the aftermath in which the treatment of the families has been appalling. I thought I had followed the story closely in the media at the time, but having it all laid out in sequence makes me realise how misleading a lot of the coverage was.
It is a heartbreaking and infuriating read, especially since it is now clear that no one will ever be held properly accountable for what happened (charges against the manager were dropped after the book's publication). It should be compulsory reading in NZ - I am ashamed it's taken me nearly a year to get around to it - but I am left with a despairing sense that nothing has really been learned from it at all.
The book covers the establishment of the mine, its first year of operation, the disaster itself, and the aftermath in which the treatment of the families has been appalling. I thought I had followed the story closely in the media at the time, but having it all laid out in sequence makes me realise how misleading a lot of the coverage was.
It is a heartbreaking and infuriating read, especially since it is now clear that no one will ever be held properly accountable for what happened (charges against the manager were dropped after the book's publication). It should be compulsory reading in NZ - I am ashamed it's taken me nearly a year to get around to it - but I am left with a despairing sense that nothing has really been learned from it at all.
March 8, 2016
One of the best books I have read in a while. Tragedy at Pike River Mine by Rebecca Macfie describes in an easy to read manner the events leading up to the tragedy including health and safety failings, management failings, regulatory failings - the list goes on!
This book is, in my opinion, a must read for any New Zealander, or anyone else interested in the impact that serious failings noted above can have.
This book is, in my opinion, a must read for any New Zealander, or anyone else interested in the impact that serious failings noted above can have.
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