Pike River families awarded $NZ110,000 INSOLVENT New Zealand mining company Pike River Coal has been ordered to pay $NZ110,000 (about $A95,135) to each of the families of the 29 victims killed in the explosion at the West Coast mine as well as two survivors. The company has also been fined $NZ760,000. At the sentencing of the company on nine health and safety charges laid after the deaths in November 2010, Judge Jane Farish said she could not put a value on the loss of life or compensate for psychological harm. In awarding the families and the two survivors $NZ110,000 each, she said she was confident the reparation would be paid despite concerns over the company's financial position. The company, which is in receivership, has indicated it only has enough money to pay $NZ5000 to each family. Pike River Coal was found guilty of the charges in April after it did not contest them. Judge Farish ruled at that hearing that the company was guilty of fundamental breaches of the Health and Safety Act, which led to the deaths. Many of the family members gave victim impact statements on Thursday, a number saying they wished somebody would take responsibility for the failures which led to the deaths. Drilling company Valley Longwall International Drilling was fined $NZ46,800 last October after admitting it failed to protect its own staff and Pike River staff. Former Pike River Coal chief executive Peter Whittall has denied health and safety charges laid against him and his trial in Wellington is expected to start early next year.