The recovery of the entry tunnel to the Pike River mine has entered a new phase with the mines rescue team now in a previously unexplored area.
The loader driven by one of only two men to have survived the explosion was retrieved this week in good condition from 1500 metres inside.
As RNZ's Conan Young reports, this has boosted hopes crucial evidence still to be recovered could also be intact and provide clues as to the cause of the explosion.
