The mission re-enter the Pike River Mine will begin on May 3.
The Minister Responsible, Andrew Little, says the date has been set, in light of the current state of preparations, re-entry and recovering the access tunnel.
He says an incredible amount of preparation has gone into getting ready for the re-entry, including preparing bridges for heavy loads, installing a nitrogen plant, and drilling more boreholes.
He says staff have also been trained on working a forensic environment.
Little says the re-entry will only take place if all the necessary pre-conditions have been met.
It is hoped that work in the drift will enable the agency and Police to investigate what caused the explosion that killed 29 men on November 19, 2010.
An event will be organised at the site to mark this important milestone on May 3.
Spokesperson for some of the Pike River families Bernie Monk says it's more than a milestone, it's the start of getting accountability and justice.
Monk says they have been waiting for this day for years and the Government has really stepped up to the plate.
More to come
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