Solid Energy expects its board could meet in a matter of weeks to approve re-entry to the mine drift at Pike River.
The entry to the Pike River mine after the explosion. Photo: RNZ
The coal company's interim chief executive, Garry Diack, says a report could be ready for the board in two weeks.
Mr Diack told Parliament's Commerce select committee on Thursday the company is close to being able to enter the 2.4km mine drift and expects it could happen within two months.
At that point, arrangements in place for funding come to an end, and the next stage would need to be discussed. Mr Diack said the Government is paying for the work, so approval of ministers would be needed before any further progress was made.
Solid Energy's interim chairperson Pip Dunphy says the board will hold a special meeting to discuss re-entry to the drift and safety issues will figure prominently in its consideration of the matter.
The bodies of 29 workers remain in the West Coast mine following explosions in November 2010.