Miners plead for salvation from underground 'hell'

[Judi Lynn]

Miners plead for salvation from underground 'hell'
Posted 23 minutes ago

Chile's trapped miners say they are enduring "hell" underground, putting urgency into a rescue operation that could drag on for months before providing salvation.

The 33 men, living in unimaginable conditions deep below ground for 20 days, pleaded with president Sebastian Pinera to save them, in an exchange over an intercom line dropped through a narrow drill hole.

"We are waiting for all of Chile to do everything to get us out of this hell," group leader Luis Urzua said.

Mr Urzua added that all the miners are in good condition physically and had high hopes of rescue after finally being located last Sunday (local time) by a probe attached to the end of a drill bit.

More:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/08/26/2993621.htm?section=justin

[flamingdem]

1. I think they need to continue to lie to them about the time needed

... 30 days max! Not the four months predicted.

[rabs]

3. The miners have been told it may be Christmas

Equipment arrives to begin drilling rescue shaft


Miners told they could be trapped until Christmas

Chilean officials have finally told a desperate group of trapped miners that they could be stuck in their collapsed mine for several months before being rescued.

"We were able to tell them ... they would not be rescued before the Fiestas Patrias , and that we hoped to get them out before Christmas," health minister Jaime Manalich said.

He said the 33 men, trapped 700 metres below ground, took the information calmly, but he warned "a period of depression, anguish and severe malaise" could ensue.

Officials had been hiding the bleak information from the miners since they were discovered alive on Sunday (local time) in a shelter in the San Jose gold and copper mine, more than two weeks after the collapse.

Rescuers feared the psychological impact the news would have as the 33 men contemplated their long ordeal inside the hot, dank shelter, with a tiny hole to the surface as their only lifeline.

Before they were told the news, the miners said they were enduring "hell" underground and had high hopes of being rescued before September 18.

----------------------------

There is another complication; the Atacama Desert where the mine is located is a highly earthquake-prone region. This morning (Wednesday) a 4.5 quake rattled the area but it did not affect the mine.

[flamingdem]

4. This is where religion could come in handy!

I'd believe in anything to endure that sentence.

[Xipe Totec]

2. Miguel Hernandez comes to mind

Quiero escarbar la tierra con los dientes,
quiero apartar la tierra parte a parte
a dentelladas secas y calientes.

Quiero minar la tierra hasta encontrarte
y besarte la noble calavera
y desamordazarte y regresarte.

- Miguel Hernandez

"With bare teeth I want to dig the ground,
and move the dirt part by part,
in dry and furious bites.

I want to mine the earth until I find you,
to kiss your noble skull,
unbind your body and return you,
to my garden and my fig tree."

[Judi Lynn]

5. Chile miners told to exercise so they can fit through rescue holes

Chile miners told to exercise so they can fit through rescue holes
The 33 miners trapped underground in Chile have been told to maintain exercise regimes to ensure they are slim enough to fit through a rescue holes.
By Fiona Govan, and Andrew Hough
Published: 10:00AM BST 26 Aug 2010

The men, estimated to have already lost up to 22lbs after surviving 17 days with only a mouthful or two of tuna, a biscuit and half a glass of milk every 48 hours, have been warned not to put on too much weight through lack of exercise.

A tape measure has been sent down to record their waistlines after Jaime Mañalich, the Minister of Health, said it was essential they remained slim enough to fit through the 26 inch borehole that will eventually take them up to the surface.

In an attempt to keep them fit and sane, they have been given daily tasks such as digging a latrine, while they will also be delivered playing cards, dominoes, pens and paper and music to relieve the boredom.

Jose Hernandez, a Nasa astronaut, said the space agency, with its long research on aiding astronauts isolated in space, could help the Chileans understand how to provide "psychological support for those trapped".

He also said the Americans could help design "an exercise protocol to prevent muscle atrophy".

Nasa said it would be provide "support as requested".

The men, trapped 2,300ft underground in the San Jose gold and copper mine, will also be sent a video camera so they can record messages for their families above ground.

More:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/chile/7965304/Chile-miners-told-to-exercise-so-they-can-fit-through-rescue-holes.html

[Judi Lynn]

6. Chile miners: new video shows workers singing to keep spirits up

Chile miners: new video shows workers singing to keep spirits up
Chilean authorities have released a new video of the 33 miners trapped half a mile underground showing them singing the national anthem to keep their spirits up.
By Nick Allen, Los Angeles
Published: 9:01AM BST 27 Aug 2010

The men, who appeared thin, heavily bearded and shirtless, linked arms in front of the camera and shouted: "Long live Chile. Long live the miners."

They also chanted "Chile! Chile! Chile!" and gave V for victory signs during the 25-minute film.

A round of applause was given for their rescuers, with one of the men telling the camera: "We know what you've all been doing for us. You haven't left us alone. We want to send applause to you."

The video camera was lowered down through a bore hole and one of the miners used it to record a tour of living conditions, illuminated by a light on his head.

~snip~
"We plan, we have assemblies here every day so that all the decisions we make are based on the thoughts of all 33."

Another miner looked at the camera and told his family: "Be calm. We're going to get out of here. And we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your efforts."

One of the other miners said: "Thank you to everybody. I send you a big hug in the name of our Lord."

The San Esteban mining company that hired the men is not paying for the rescue and says it may go bankrupt.

Instead, Chile's state-owned mining company is drilling an escape tunnel, which will cost about $1.7 million (£1.1 million.)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/chile/7967192/Chile-miners-new-video-shows-workers-singing-to-keep-spirits-up.html