The Department of Labour will be first to go under the spotlight when the Pike River Royal Commission resumes next month.
However, it does not expect to really get into the cause of the November 19 blast until February.
Evidence already presented to the commission has shown there were problems with the main ventilation fan in the months before the blast. In the few minutes before the first explosion, a rag at the mine portal indicated the airflow was not regular, but was pulsing.
The commission said today that when it resumed on November 14, it would examine the external oversight of health and safety at the mine, then the following week it would look at mine systems.
From December 5, it will examine company management, then health and safety systems, compliance and impediments, and employees and contractors.
It will resume in February to examine the immediate cause of the explosion.
During phase two in September, the search and rescue, 27 witnesses appeared, the commission sat for 76 hours, and received 1770 pages and 585,000 words of evidence.
It covered the 111 phone call made from the control room to emergency services, insights from deep into the mine using Cal Scan technology and local and international expert input as to what went well, and what could have been improved upon during the search and rescue operation.
In a statement, the commission said the hearings had helped clarify, confirm and shed new light on key issues.
"The commission acknowledges, and thanks, those witnesses who made their time available to provide evidence during the September hearings.
"At times the commission heard harrowing and emotional evidence. It appreciates having heard the perspective of witnesses who were closely involved in the tragic events following the explosion at the mine.''
The Department of Labour has until November 19 to lay charges.
- Laura Mills of the Greymouth Star
