The receivers told the court last year that they wouldn’t seek to defend the charges. A sentencing hearing has been set for July 4 and 5, and the receivers will provide the court and prosecution with information about the company’s financial position to assist. The mine was sold to state-owned Solid Energy, which is itself in a precarious financial position, for $7.5 million, with earn-outs up to $25 million if it’s commercially re-opened. According to the receivers’ report published in February, Pike River Coal’s remaining asset was an insurance claim relating to events before the November 2010 explosions.

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