In the submission, which has been obtained by ILN, QMRS said it responded quickly to prepare the GAG unit on November 19 when it heard news of the first explosion at the Pike River mine which would claim the lives of 29 miners.

“The QMRS made preparation for the deployment of the modular GAG unit in case a formal request to assist was received. The preparation included preparing the unit for travel and included support equipment made ready for transport. Resources for staffing the unit were pre-planned. The system was tested and logistical planning was put in place,” the submission said.

Following the second explosion on the afternoon of November 24, Pike River operations manager Doug White contacted Queensland chief inspector of coal mines Gavin Taylor to request that the GAG unit be deployed immediately.

“QMRS was informally aware that the police were most likely in charge at Pike River Mine and QMRS’ position was one of awaiting a formal request to deploy to New Zealand by the NZ Police. QMRS continued final preparation of the GAG unit, anticipating a full deployment,” it said.

A number of discussions with other allied agencies within Queensland and Australian officials followed.

Information on the operation of the GAG inertisation unit was given to NZ Police logistics. It also outlined the general cost implications for the use of the GAG.

“No formal request for, or an outline of the role or the use of, the GAG unit was received but, in any event, QMRS’ Wayne Hartely sent to the senior management of Pike River Coal the formal QMRS documentation for GAG Unit or Mines Rescue Deployment to be signed and returned,” the submission states.

“QMRS expressed the view by phone that Doug White or the senior police officer in charge should sign it. The document was not returned.”

A formal request for logistical information relating to the possible deployment of the GAG unit and subsequent planning in relation to its transport and deployment was received from Police Logistics (Pike River) on Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 November.

The equipment finally arrived onsite at Pike River on the afternoon of November 26 and remained available for some time while preliminary assessments and briefings were conducted with mine management and NZ Police.

On June 2, 2011, the New Zealand Royal Commission wrote to the QMRS and advised that the New Zealand Police and New Zealand Mines Rescue Trust had indicated the Royal Commission might be assisted by receiving evidence from the QMRS in connection with the Pike River Inquiry.

The Royal Commission considered that it would be assisted by such evidence and invited QMRS to prepare and file written evidence for phase two of the inquiry.

The Royal Commission also stated that it would classify QMRS as an interested person in the inquiry.