ianstone
10-08-2010, 01:35 PM
8 October 2010 Last updated at 18:01
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/49393000/jpg/_49393864_chile_guide2_336x189.jpg
Chile miners should be reached 'within hours'
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/49431000/jpg/_49431535_49431340.jpg The rescuers need to ensure the shaft is safe before winching the miners out
Rescuers hope to reach the 33 miners trapped underground in Chile within 24 hours, the mining minister says.
Laurence Golborne said drilling equipment was being changed in preparation for the final push, but he said it would be three to eight days before the rescue mission would begin.
Engineers said the shaft was now just 34m (112ft) from the chamber.
The miners were trapped 700m underground when part of the San Jose mine collapsed on 5 August.
Continue reading the main story (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11503646#story_continues_1) The miners have now been underground longer than any other group.
Andre Sougarret, the engineer in charge of the drilling, said the final part of the operation would have to be handled very carefully.
"There are dangers - that we break through the hard rock, and when we break that, someone might get injured," he said.
"That's why we need to send a camera down the shaft to make sure they're not going to be in danger."
Mr Golborne said the operation to winch the men out could not begin as soon as the shaft was complete.
Engineers would first need to assess whether it had to be coated with metal or was secure enough by itself for rescue capsules to be lowered down.
When the time comes for them to be hauled out, workers will go down into the mine to help them use the rescue capsules.
It is expected to take at least an hour to pull each of the trapped men to the surface - they will each be given sunglasses to protect them from the light, after spending two months with no natural light.
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/49393000/jpg/_49393864_chile_guide2_336x189.jpg
Chile miners should be reached 'within hours'
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/49431000/jpg/_49431535_49431340.jpg The rescuers need to ensure the shaft is safe before winching the miners out
Rescuers hope to reach the 33 miners trapped underground in Chile within 24 hours, the mining minister says.
Laurence Golborne said drilling equipment was being changed in preparation for the final push, but he said it would be three to eight days before the rescue mission would begin.
Engineers said the shaft was now just 34m (112ft) from the chamber.
The miners were trapped 700m underground when part of the San Jose mine collapsed on 5 August.
Continue reading the main story (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11503646#story_continues_1) The miners have now been underground longer than any other group.
Andre Sougarret, the engineer in charge of the drilling, said the final part of the operation would have to be handled very carefully.
"There are dangers - that we break through the hard rock, and when we break that, someone might get injured," he said.
"That's why we need to send a camera down the shaft to make sure they're not going to be in danger."
Mr Golborne said the operation to winch the men out could not begin as soon as the shaft was complete.
Engineers would first need to assess whether it had to be coated with metal or was secure enough by itself for rescue capsules to be lowered down.
When the time comes for them to be hauled out, workers will go down into the mine to help them use the rescue capsules.
It is expected to take at least an hour to pull each of the trapped men to the surface - they will each be given sunglasses to protect them from the light, after spending two months with no natural light.