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Tasman District Commander Superintendent Gary Knowles said the risk assessment for placing the metal cap on the ventilation shaft was ongoing.

“Even with the flames gone there is still a significant risk from methane coming up the shaft and the risk this poses to helicopters above,” he said.

The New Zealand Defence Force is also assisting to mitigate these risks.

There is also the risk of another stoppage to the GAG unit, which had a temporary shutdown on the weekend after several days of operation.

Two high-pressure hoses were replaced and the modified jet engine started up again around lunchtime on Sunday.

Should the GAG fail to keep running in time to cap the ventilation shaft, there could be several days of delays.

Knowles said media reports that the “fire was out” in the mine were premature.

“Conditions are constantly changing and we are currently validating the information we have.

“The mine is still very volatile and extremely hot.

“Test results change so quickly and we would need several days of validated results before we could conclude the fire was out.

“Even with the fire extinguished, this does not mean we can enter the mine.

“At this stage we are pleased with the progress of the GAG unit and that flames are still not visible at the vent shaft.”