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WA robot off to NZ mine

WA Water Corporation robot controlled by a fibre-optic cable, capable of being delivered via pipe

The West Australian government is sending a robot to New Zealand to assist in the rescue operation for 29 miners, including two Australians, trapped underground at the Pike River coal mine.

An aircraft from New Zealand was expected to pick up the WA Water Corporation robot from Perth on Tuesday, James Larrson, a spokesman for WA Water Minister Graham Jacobs told AAP.

Early on Tuesday, a robot sent into the South Island mine broke down and rescue officials reported it could not be used again.

"The WA government through the Water Corporation has offered a pipe robot, one that's suitable to go down large pipes," Mr Larsson said.

The robot is a skid-steered, remotely operated vehicle, equipped with cameras, lights and gas testing equipment.

It is controlled by a fibre-optic cable and has a range of up to 6km.

Technical staff at the state-owned Water Corporation Inspection Services have offered their time without pay to prepare the system if required.

Meanwhile, two technical experts from Coal Services Australia Mines Rescue NSW were expected to arrive at the mine later on Tuesday after mine management accepted an offer for them to assist.

NSW Mines Rescue General Manager Paul Healey said the experts would advise on emergency response team and rescue management protocols and an additional rescue team would be sent to be on standby.

Coal Services Australia was also sending an expert to New Zealand to assist in gas analysis at the mine, he said in a statement.

"We share a common bond in our commitment to protecting mineworkers' health and safety and hope to see a quick and safe outcome to this event," Mr Healey said.

Join the CIO Australia group on LinkedIn. The group is open to CIOs, IT Directors, COOs, CTOs and senior IT managers.

More about: AAP, Island, West

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