TABJ - June 16 - Plans to enter the Pike River Coal mine on New Zealand’s west coast could finally get underway this month, as deadly gas levels at the site continue to drop.

Last November 29 men died in the mine when carbon monoxide levels reached dangerous levels and several planned recovery efforts have since been delayed.

According to receiver John Fisk, if levels remain low, the recovery work could begin as soon as June 27.

Fisk told TVNZ, that carbon monoxide levels inside the mine had fallen from a high of 6000 parts per million two weeks ago to 1350 parts per million earlier this week.

With oxygen levels at the facility continuing to rise, gas levels now need to fall to 1200 parts per million so that stabilisation work can begin, according to Fisk.

Currently the entrance tunnel to the mind is full of nitrogen, in order to prevent any further explosions; however, a new tunnel will have to be drilled so that miners and recovery workers can get around the rockfall at the end of the mine’s access tunnel.