With a few hours left for the rescue operations of the estranged miners in the San José copper-gold mine in Chile, the world is gearing up to witness history. If everything works as planned the rescue operations are scheduled to begin today and the 33 miners will be out in approximately the next four days.
BACKGROUND
33 miners have been trapped in the San José mines, 700 meters below the mine entrance since 5th August, 2010, a little more than two months now. The mishap occurred due to the negligence of the mine owners, Empresa Minera San Esteban. Even the government had failed to take any action, considering the poor records of the mine. Many accidents have occurred at this mine before.
During the casualty that occurred, one group of miners near the entrance of the mine managed to escape safely. While 33 other miners who were trapped tried to escape through a ventilation trap but failed. The miners have been confined to the bottom of these mines ever since.
- Underground trapped minners
The miners were discovered about 17 days later, when they a stuck a note on one of the drilling shafts. The note read ‘The 33 of us are doing well in the shelter.’ Soon after which attempts were made to get in contact with the trapped miners. Cameras were sent in and arrangements were made to provide them with food and medication. Psychologists were also available throughout for consultation. With the help of neon lights conditions of day and night were created in the refuge area underground.
The note reads, 'The 33 of us are doing well in the shelter.'
Letters were exchanged and regular video conferencing was arranged between the family members and the miners. Many of the families of these miners have set up make-shift tents near the mining area, which is now called Camp Hope.
RESCUE OPERATIONS
Three drilling operations were carried out to rescue the miners; the first one started on August 30. The operations involved raise-bore systems in which a pilot hole is drilled before the shaft is widened for a rescue capsule. More than 20 private companies were involved in these three operations that worked simultaneously.
On Saturday, October 9, one of the shafts managed to reach the refuge area, giving a ray of hope to the miners, their families and everyone around the world.
Rescue Operation Plan
Events to follow
The attempts to rescue the trapped miners will begin at midnight on Tuesday (0300 GMT), Mining Minister Laurence Golborne has said.
A custom built steel capsule is built under the supervision of the advisors from NASA. The rescue shaft, Phoenix, has a 5 ½ inch diameter. The diet of the miners is controlled so that they can fit in the shaft, conviniently. Each capsule contains oxygen tanks, lighting, video link and hands-free phones.
On Wednesday, a mine expert and a medical expert will be sent underground through the capsule to help the miners escape one by one in the shaft. The journey from the bottom of the refuge to the ground is expected to take around 15 to 20 minutes. Rescuers are expecting to bring the men up at a rate of about one person an hour. The entire rescue operation is expected to last for around four days.
Sweaters will be provided to the miners to deal with the extreme change in temperatures. And those rescued during daylight will be provided with sunglasses. Once rescued, the miners will be flown to a hospital 15 minutes away after a quick on-site medical check-up.
If executed successfully, this will prove to be one of the most important and successful rescue operations in the history of mankind.
RELATED LINKS:
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article828740.ece
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/11/weather-another-potential-obstacle-for-miners/
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