Chilean Miner Rescue Update - 10/12/10
The scene at the San Jose gold and copper mine, turned jubilant as the drill broke through the roof of the small confines that houses 33 miners. The private mine, located near the northern town of Copiapo, Chile, collapsed August 5, trapping the miners for 17 days before being discovered.
The miners, in a constant life and death struggle, are living in a space the size of a college dorm room. Raul Lyon, vice president of GeoTech, said the ordeal has been arduous and emotional, but every step is methodical with workers exercising patience.
Currently, cranes are pushing in 96 yards of steel tubing to minimize the risk of rocks falling on the rescue cage. Chilean mining minister, Laurence Golborne, said that they are shooting for Wednesday, to begin the extrication of the miners, although that could be pushed out eight to ten days, if they fit the tunnel with a full casing.
The 21 inch wide rescue cage, known as the Fenix capsule, will be a tight and stressful ride for the miners. In preparation, the miners will begin something known as the NASA diet, which is primarily liquid proteins and vitamins. This will insure that the miners won’t become nauseous on the way up as the capsule will spin in a constant 360 degree rotation upward.
The miners have been living in an environment with 20% oxygen. Rescue crews will begin pumping oxygen into the shaft to prevent dizziness on ascent. A microphone system will be attached to the capsule, facilitating communication as each man is rescued.
Lyon continued, “It was very exciting and also comforting that we were able to reach the tunnel after exactly 33 days of drilling,” noting that the miners are “happy” and “in good shape.”
Sixteen men, who will check on the workers’ physical condition, with join the miners in the tight confines. It is expected that the ascent in the rescue capsule will take approximately 15 minutes.
UPDATE:
10/12/2020- 8:20 p.m. PST
The first of the 33 miners has been rescued, as his family awaits. Florencio Avalos, 31, who had recorded the videos showing what the conditions inside the mine were like, was greeted with cheers and hugs.
Follow Technorati