Family of Charters Towers man Joshua Ufer, killed in New Zealand's 2010 Pike River Coal Mine explosion, may never see $95,000 compensation Josh Ufer, who died in the 2010 Pike River Coal Mine explosion in New Zealand. THE family of a Charters Towers man who was killed in the Pike River Mine tragedy says they are sceptical about ever seeing the $95,000 in compensation that has been awarded to them. Joanne Ufer, whose son Joshua was one of 29 killed following the mining explosion in New Zealand's south island, says the victims' families have learnt to be thick-skinned since the November 19, 2010 disaster. A New Zealand court yesterday ordered Pike River Coal Mine pay $NZ110,000 ($95,135) to each of the families of the victims, as well as the two survivors. The company was also fined $NZ760,000. Mrs Ufer said while she was pleased at the decision, she wasn't holding her breath on seeing the compensation eventuate. "It's like what we've been through for the last two-and-a-half years with the recovery efforts," she said. I guess I've got to the stage where you think the worst, and if something happens well then it's all well and good. But I think any payment - if there is any payment - will definitely not equate to $NZ110,000. Pike River Coal Mine, which is in receivership, has indicated they could only afford to pay $5000 to each family. Joshua Ufer was 25 years old and expecting his first child with his partner when he died in the explosion. The daughter that he never met, Erica, turned two recently, and lives with her mother in New Zealand. Joshua's mother said the compensation that was awarded yesterday would help recoup some of the economic loss the family had since experienced, but said she ultimately wanted to see justice served. "No-one has been held accountable yet... we have Peter Whittle's (chief executive of Pike River Coal at the time) trial coming up, which probably won't start until next year," she said. There's still talks of possibly pressing criminal charges, but I haven't heard anything for a while. Mr Whittle has been charged with 12 offences. Mrs Ufer said she had been in contact with most families of the other victims, but found there had been little industry support available since Joshua's death. "It's hard when most families are in New Zealand, you feel a bit distant from proceedings," she said. We've spoken on and off. You just have to wait to hear anything unless you keep going online. Since her son's death, Mrs Ufer has established the Miner's Legacy Foundation to promote safety in the mining sector and provide support for families of any future fatalities.