Chilean miners may be freed a month early

[Judi Lynn]

Chilean miners may be freed a month early
9/29/2010 - 7:36:53 AM

The families of 33 trapped miners are in high spirits today after a surge in the drilling of escape tunnels raised hopes that the men's rescue may come sooner than scheduled.

Relatives smiled, hugged and yelled "Viva Chile!" as officials reported one of the rescue drills made twice the expected progress yesterday.

They promised the families that preparations for the rescue effort on the surface would be ready by October 12, and they are planning for the possibility the miners could be pulled up nearly a month ahead of the official schedule. But the officials also urged caution, warning that unforeseen problems could slow the work.

A siren sounded at 5pm on Tuesday in the camp where families have held a vigil since a rock collapse blocked the mine's exit shaft on August 5. At first, no one knew what it meant, just that it was good news.

Then, rescue workers came down to report that the "Plan B" drill had reached 984 feet deep, nearly halfway to its goal, after advancing 243 feet on Tuesday, more than twice as fast as expected.

More:
http://www.eecho.ie/news/world/chilean-miners-may-be-freed-a-month-early-475547.html

[Judi Lynn]

1. As rescue drill nears, miners in Chile still have long way to go

As rescue drill nears, miners in Chile still have long way to go
By Patrick Oppmann, CNN
October 5, 2010 6:16 a.m. EDT

Copiapo, Chile (CNN) -- With 160 meters to go until the Plan B drill reaches 33 trapped miners, a breakthrough to the men may be imminent.

Then what?

At Camp Hope, the makeshift tent city where hundreds of family members are living, widespread celebrations will likely break out as the miners' loved ones receive news they have waited for more than 60 days to hear. But despite any euphoria, the rescue operation will be entering its most dangerous phase for the men.

Chilean Mining Minister Laurence Golborne made clear to reporters Saturday that the operation can only be called a success if all the men are rescued from the mine safely. "We haven't rescued anyone here," Golborne said. "We have to be very conservative, nothing is finished."

Officials said they expect to have the men above ground between October 15 and October 30.

If the Plan B drill reaches the 624 meters (2,047 feet) to the trapped men, the miners will be closer than ever to freedom. But they will still have a long way to go before their actual rescue.

Officials said they are still considering whether to line the completed mine shaft with steel casing. The operation would call for reinforcing the 70-centimeter (28-inch) hole with 26 steel tubes, each 24 meters (79 feet) in height. The casing would also provide a buffer between the mine walls and rescue capsules.

More:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/10/05/chile.miners.rescue.plan/index.html?hpt=Sbin

[bherrera]

2. Steel casing would be a good idea

But they will need a very large crane and a method to weld it fast, because it's not a good idea to introduce it inside the hole if they are going to take many days doing this.