Chile Mine Collapse

Chile Mine Collapse

What happened?
A shaft at the San Jose gold-copper mine collapsed some 300 metres below the surface, trapping 33 men near Copiapo, about 800km north of the Chilean capital of Santiago. The incident on August 5 prompted a rescue operation that is already into its third month. Family and friends of the trapped miners have since been camping out on an arid, rocky hillside near the mine, in a tent settlement dubbed "Camp Hope".

What are the rescuers doing?
Engineers have finished installing 15 steel tubes to secure the top of the rescue shaft and build a platform above it to support the rescue capsule, which is a special metal cage.
Earlier, officials mapped out three rescue plans which involved boring tunnels down to different depths. Rescue workers have already drilled a 66 cm.-wide shaft through which the men will be pulled out one at a time. The supply chute was then enlarged to a diameter of 30 cm.

How are the trapped miners?
Despite surviving underground for a period longer than anyone ever has in similar mining accidents, the 33 men are reportedly in good health except for minor skin infections. Cameras lowered through small bore holes revealed images of the workers, often bare-chested because of the stifling heat, and their shelter lit mainly by the lamps on their hard-hats. Rescuers have been dropping supplies via a pipeline, with the men keeping in touch with their families through video-conferencing.

How will the rescue be done?
Each worker will be winched up the rescue shaft, equipped with a helmet, gloves, water, food and oxygen. Each trip could take up to 90 minutes. Upon reaching the surface, each men will undergo medical examination and time to readjust to normal life. They will also be given special sunglasses to prevent any harm to their eyes from bright light.

The new report says the owners of the mine had failed to put "adequate safety measures in place, required by the authorities".