Officials hope to have first Chilean miner out tonight

[cbdo2007]

After 68 days underground, miners' rescue to begin

Rescuers at the Chilean mine expect to begin the rescue of 33 trapped miners during "the last quarter" of Tuesday, Mining Minister Laurence Golborne said.

"We hope to finish the day with at least one miner on the surface," he said.

The concrete base built for the winch system at the San Jose Mine in Chile has hardened, paving the way for the rescue of the miners to start tonight, Mining Minister Laurence Golborne said. The winch that will pull the trapper miners out in Chile will extract them at .7 meters (2.3 feet) per second, Health Minister Jaime Malanich said. In case of emergency, the speed of ascension can be increased to 3 meters (9.8 feet) per second.

The attempted rescue, which the Chilean government said has been meticulously planned, is slated to begin late Tuesday and could last for hours or days. The 33 miners have been underground for 68 days.

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/12/after-68-days-underground-miners-wait-for-rescue-to-begin/?hpt=T1
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Looks like a scary ride. Would you want to be first? or Last?

[Parker CA]

1. This is truly incredible, both that the men have all survived until now, and that the process to get

them to the surface seems pretty damn solid.

Sending positive vibes to all those men underground and hoping they all make it out safely and swiftly.

[leftyladyfrommo]

2. Yea!

Being trapped underground would be my worst nightmare.

Well, that and being poor and old in America.