Pike River chief executive Gordon Ward said despite some damage at the wharf area at Lyttelton as a result of the earthquake, coal loading of Pike’s second export shipment on the “Isabella” panamax vessel began on Sunday, one day later than planned.

“Our coal was already stockpiled in Lyttelton ready for loading and will soon be on its way to one of our life-of-mine customers, Gujarat NRE, who were also the recipients of our first export shipment in February this year,” Ward said.

“The Port of Lyttelton has confirmed that while there had been some damage to the port infrastructure around the coal loading area, this has had limited affect on our shipment and the vessel is expected to depart today. ”

Meanwhile, while tremors were felt across the West Coast of New Zealand, there was no impact on the undergound mine workings or surface facilities at the mine, the coal preparation plant, or the train loading facilities at Ikamatua.

All minesite surface buildings and access roads, bridges and embankments have been checked and show no signs of damage.

“Miners working underground at the time of the earthquake were unaware of the event and felt no effects,” Ward said.

“The Midland rail-line suffered some track damage and required some quite extensive inspections to structures and the like; however it reopened for service late yesterday afternoon.”