Chile mine,massive drill arrives onsite

25 August 2010 Last updated at 22:56




Chile's trapped miners told to exercise and diet
Supplies to be sent down to miners The miners are being supplied with glucose and rehydration tablets

The 33 Chilean miners trapped deep underground are being put on a special regimen to ensure they survive what could be months underground.

The programme is also meant to ensure they are fit enough to be pulled up the rescue shaft being drilled for them.

The shaft will be about 66cm (26 inches) wide and reach about 700m (765 yards) below ground.

The men, trapped since 5 August, have not been told that their rescue could take up to four months.
Continue reading the main story
Related stories * Realism amid elation at Chile mine drama * In pictures: Chileans rejoice and pray

Officials have avoided telling the men out of concern for their psychological welfare.

The miners have urged all efforts to be made to free them by 18 September, Chile's Independence Day.

Chile's health minister said the surface team wants the trapped miners to set up routines, entertain themselves and attempt to simulate day and night.

"The space they're in actually has about two kilometres [1.24 miles] of galleries to walk around in," said Dr Jaime Manalich.

The BBC's Gideon Long says parts for a massive drill are arriving on site

"We're hoping to define a secure area where they can establish various places - one for resting and sleeping, one for diversion, one for food, another for work."

The US space agency Nasa has been called upon for its expertise keeping astronauts alive and well on long missions.

The miners, who spent 17 days surviving on emergency supplies designed for a couple of days, have been receiving glucose and rehydration tablets lowered down a narrow shaft.

Other supplies included small lights, eye patches and medicine. An intercom cable has been dropped to them for communications.

The leader of the trapped miners pleaded with Chile's President Sebastian Pinera to get them "out of this hell".

Days of growing despair turned to jubilation on Sunday when rescuers made contact with the miners via a probe lowered into the mine.

The miners were trapped when the main access tunnel collapsed at the San Jose mine in Copiapo, about 725km (450 miles) north of the capital, Santiago.

They are located 7km (4.5 miles) into the winding mine, where they are sheltering in a 50 sq m side-chamber off one of the main passages.

President Pinera has said every effort will be made to rescue the men.
graphic

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Chilean
• miners
• told
• t
• exercise

[mastercheif0124]

@esquibelle ya the americans used the drill but the irish made the drill

[TatianaSword]

This miners need to be drowned and then hanged

[joecat818]

An amazing example of human survival. ww savewildwoodcatholic com members salute the governments of Chile, the United States and others for this incredible show of cooperation and commitment. We know what it means to "Never Give Up!"

[pilotilka]

Chi Chi Chi-Le Le Le!!!!

[87yandi]

 Marry & Roberts provides drill equipment

[esquibelle]

2 Americans drilled the hole through which the miners & brave rescue workers were all pulled back to safety.

God Bless America. Got to give some credit where it's due. There was a plan A, plan B & plan C. The American plan B was the one that worked.

[zerohourgenerals]

americans are so great!

[dronehunter10]

@thesouthrapsucks dude you are a piece of shit. if your gona talk shit keep it to your fucking self dumb ass

[eltigre646]

@thesouthrapsuks U clueless piece of disgrace human. Or devil i would say , easy for you to say cuz you are a stuck up american that doesny know shit about life or have feelings! No1 deserves that and the whole world praying for those people . Unlike you or the rest of the unhuman close mindless fucker hope u burn in hell

[TatianaSword]

They probably stink like shitttttt