Aust experts to conduct safety audit of NZ mines

Two Australian mining experts have beeexplorer wash plant goldn contracted to undertake a safety audit of New Zealand's underground coal mines following the Pike River tragedy. Twenty nine miners and contractors died after an explosion in the Pike River coal mine on the West Coast last month.

The Department of Labour has contracted Brett Garland and Tim Watson, both from Queensland, to audit the five mines and prepare a report on their health and safety. The audit was announced on November 29 by the Prime Minister in response to the tragedy at the Pike River mine. It will involve physical inspections of the mines, and a review of the health and safety systems and processes that are in place in each mine, the Labour Department said in a statement. Garland is the Chief Operating Officer of Caledon Coal in Queensland and is a Director of Queensland Mines Rescue Services. He has more than 20 years experience in mining including senior management roles in a number of Australian mining companies...