Teams were winding up drilling of borehole 44 yesterday, while future holes will allow gas samples to be taken from further inside the mine.
"Establishing new sampling points will help build a picture of what's going on underground and also provide possible entry points for the nitrogen," Operation Commander Superintendent Gary Knowles said.
NZ Police has not provided any clear timeframes on this drilling work.
"Because of the terrain drillers are working in its never straightforward to put in a bore hole in and the work is weather dependent."
The arrival of the Floxal Coal Mine AMSA Unit will help cool down the extreme temperatures in the troubled mine.
This inertisation equipment will also give crews the opportunity to stop the GAG unit at the mine portal for maintenance.
“Gas sampling is continuing and indicates the GAG is keeping the environment stable,” the police said yesterday.
