By Elizabeth Puranam
Former Pike River chief executive Peter Whittall has been named as one of the three parties charged over the mine disaster, in which 29 men died last November.
The Department of Labour served 25 charges yesterday, but suppression orders on the names and charges were only made public this afternoon.
Whittall was the public face of Pike River mine during and after the tragedy.
Today his lawyers confirmed he’s among those being charged.
Read more: Whittall will fight being 'scapegoated'
“It’d that Peter has come forward and said that he wants the suppression order lifted,” Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn told 3 News.
Whittall is facing 12 charges relating to methane explosion management, strata management, ventilation management and mitigating the risk and impact of an explosion.
Mr Kokshoorn says the lifting of the suppression orders has come as a relief.
“There has been a lot of innocent bystanders that were being part of the speculation that was going around as to who was being charged after the disaster.”
Pike River Coal is facing 10 similar charges for failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of its employees, contractors and subcontractors.
VLI Driling, also known as Valley Longwall, faces three charges relating to the maintenance and operation of machinery.
Each charge carries a maximum penalty of $250,000.
Read more: Full details of the DoL charges
The lawyer for the Pike River victims says they are not interested in the DoL prosecuting any of the parties charged. Their focus is on the Royal Commission and finding out exactly what happened.
The next phase of the commission starts next week.
3 News