A spokesperson for some of the Pike River families says he is not surprised Solid Energy is delaying a decision to re-enter the mine's drift, or main tunnel.
Bernie Monk. Photo: RNZ
The state-owned company was due to decide at its monthly board meeting tomorrow, but has announced it will hold off until it has examined expert advice provided by the victims' families.
It will be four years next month since 29 men were killed in an explosion while working in the West Coast mine. Their bodies remain underground.
Solid Energy said it needs more time so it can examine the advice of overseas experts advising the families, who want to recover their relatives' remains.
A spokesperson for some families, Bernie Monk, said this is not surprising, given how much information the experts have given, but he still expects a decision soon.
West Coast-Tasman MP Damien O'Connor said it has been clear for months that Solid Energy's board and experts advising the families disagree about critical information and that needs to be resolved before a final decision is made.