A recovery team has entered the Pike River Coal Ltd mine on New Zealand's South Island, for the first time since 29 men died in an underground explosion lat November.
The six-man team advanced 300 metres into the shaft, said Trevor Watts, general manager of New Zealand Mines Rescue. They will map hazards and establish communications lines for future operations, he said.
The mine had been sealed by Pike River's outside managers since January.
Gas levels were suitable for the workers to operate with breathing apparatus and they plan to establish a new seal inside the shaft before undertaking a study to determine if the bodies can be recovered, Mr Watts said.
The recovery mission is expected to take several years to be completed.
In January, the chief coroner determined the men died during or shortly after the first explosion at the mine on November 19th.
In April, police said they had an image of a person lying face down, obtained by a camera lowered down a bore hole.
Bloomberg