The commission has called for participants’ final written submissions on the matter to be handed in by March 16.

Commission chairperson Justice Graham Panckhurst said the policy aspect of phase 4 would seek to identify how the NZ coal mining industry could improve.

“We are seeking information and views about the policy issues we need to address and on options for change,” Panckhurst said.

He said the final submissions hearing would provide an opportunity for both factual and policy questions to be debated in a public forum.

A hearing has been scheduled for April 2 to hear final submissions and feedback on policy issues.

Submissions will need to consider mining regulation, recognised practice and the interaction between mining and other legal requirements.

Specifically, the commission is seeking reference to NZ’s mining regulations in the underground coal mining industry by comparing the regulatory structures of Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland.

Aside from the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, the commission is also urging participants to suggest what additional regulatory arrangements are needed in relation to the country’s mining industry.

Participants will need to consider whether there would be advantages in greater cooperation and sharing of expertise with Australia and the US in relation to the regulation of the mining industry and how it could be achieved.

The need to improve the country’s mining regulation system comes after weeks of hearings into the explosion, which revealed damning evidence into embattled company Pike River Coal’s failed safety system.

The third phase of the inquiry is set to resume on February 8 and will identify the cause of the explosions and explore the company’s mine systems.