BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!

Subject: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Bettynh
Date: 24 Aug 10 - 11:44 AM

Has anyone else been following this story ? I try to imagine being trapped with 32 others for more than 2 weeks, and then finding out we're there till Christmas. Even with food, air, water, and internet, it's gonna be a long wait. There's potential for an epic ballad, as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: greg stephens
Date: 24 Aug 10 - 12:02 PM

I would want the complete works of Patrick O'Brian lowered down. And some looroll. And some beer. Well, quite a lot of stuff actually. Good luck to the poor lads, sounds as if they are going to need it.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Alice
Date: 24 Aug 10 - 02:00 PM

Yes, I just watched the news update. The rescuers have contacted NASA to see what help for surviving in enclosed spaces can be provided from the space program, and also submarine technology that can help.
They will begin by sending liquid food down today.

A.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: mauvepink
Date: 24 Aug 10 - 02:16 PM

I just saw the news item too. How terrible for them. I, too, find it hard to imagine without quickly falling into some nightmare scenario. I hope their time goes quick and that they survive this but I would not change places for all the gold there is.

Makes you appreciate your freedom

mp

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: gnu
Date: 24 Aug 10 - 03:22 PM

Words escape me.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: fat B****rd
Date: 24 Aug 10 - 03:30 PM

On the BBC news tonight the trapped miners were heard singing.
Remarkable ! I can only admire them and wish them well.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: GUEST,999
Date: 24 Aug 10 - 05:06 PM

My grandfather was a coal miner way back--1898. He told me about the mines, the horses and the life. I cried when I heard they found some of the boys alive. It`ll be tough, but hey, they were tough in the first place. I don`t believe in God, but if there IS some sort of helping force out there, I hope it considers these men.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Maryrrf
Date: 24 Aug 10 - 07:50 PM

They know they're facing a difficult time, but it sounds like the relief at being alive with rescue coming (even if it will take awhile) will keep them going. I wonder if they'll go into the mines again after this?

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Ebbie
Date: 24 Aug 10 - 10:37 PM

Presumably they will be given a source of lighting so maybe what I have read won't pertain, but I have heard that with no way of telling time of day or date, time has little meaning. In other words a month may be much less onerous for them than it will be for the watchers and rescuers.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Aug 10 - 11:23 PM

Me, too, gnu.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 09:46 AM

The poor men and their families - although I complain about my job from time to time I realise that I am lucky to have a 'safe' job.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 01:07 PM

This the saddest, most tragic story I've ever read. It is hard to imagine that any survivors who come out (and I'm pessimistic any will) will ever be able to lead a normal life after being trapped in that small, dark, hell for 3-4 months.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 01:59 PM

They do seem to have had some preparedness training and supplies, as well as strong leadership, though, by the reports, the company reopened before they should have. I was relieved to see one USA expert say it might be only a matter of weeks. I hope he is right.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 02:06 PM

"It is hard to imagine that any survivors who come out (and I'm pessimistic any will) will ever be able to lead a normal life after being trapped in that small, dark, hell for 3-4 months."

I believe they will. They have each other, and they know the world is with them supporting them and working at getting them out of there. All things that make a very challenging experience, psychologically endurable.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 02:16 PM

Kat and Crow Sister, I'd rather you are right and I'm wrong. What I've heard, howver, from several news sources is that the digging goes so slowly that they may not be out until Nov. or Dec., hence my pessimism.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 02:41 PM

Here are pictures and names of all of miners. Good faces.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 05:01 PM

I would bet on them too. Every miner has to work daily in cramped, unsafe quarters. I believe they have gotten some telecommunications down to them...next could be small entertainment devices, food and water of course, soap..they have asked for toothbrushes...clean clothes...maybe kindles? Ear plugs so they don't have to listen to each other snore..

And a way of getting sewage up the shaft although they say there are tunnels they have been able to use...

I think most will be OK..although there is concern over a couple of heavier ones that might not get throught the planned hole. They are hoping they will lose weight in the meantime. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 06:41 PM

They've asked to have some beer as well. And they are getting letters:

"Can you imagine? After 30 years of marriage we will start sending each other love letters again," said Lilianett Ramírez, whose 63-year-old husband, Mario Gómez, is among those trapped. She was first to send a letter down to her husband yesterday. "I told him to be very patient, that we're all camped out here, following his every heartbeat. That he shouldn't become desperate, and that he try to be extremely tranquil," she said. (From here) Mario Gomez is number ten in that link I gave to the faces and names.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Bobert
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 10:18 PM

What I want to know is why it takes 4 months to drill a 2000 foot, 2 foot wide shaft large enough to get these guys out... Seems something is wrong here... Seems that with the right eqipement they shoould be able to do at least 100 fett a day... That's not much... Heck, a 300 foot deep well can be drilled in lass than 2 days and that's thru stone???

Maybe I am missing something here???

No matter, I hope they all get out alive and can figure out how to find some peace in their lives after such an experience...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: I don't know
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 03:51 AM

This mornings report said they have sent lights, phones, cards, books & food & water. Lets hope the drilling is completed quicker than expected & for the families sake everyone survives this horrendous ordeal

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 10:07 AM

Maybe it won't take as long as they have been saying.

From that Guardian story I linked to: Andres Sougarret, leading the rescue effort, estimated that it would take three to four months to pull the men out. But Davitt McAteer, a former assistant secretary of the US Mine Safety and Health Administration, called that "perhaps the most conservative model"."

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Aug 10 - 11:59 AM

It does seem as though it will take a good while. There is a good explanation of what has to happen, with photos of the rescue equipment, HERE.

May they all keep their spirits up and may the rescuers be well guided and swiftly, safely bring them all to the surface.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Ebbie
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 01:57 AM

My guess is that the miners are well aware of the factors involved in getting them out. I would bet that the old timers among them have already gone down the list of what must be done and what could go wrong.

The best thing that the rescuers and loved ones can do is to say frankly that they don't know how long it will take and to be assured that it won't take one moment longer than needs be.

Nobody needs to spell it out.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 07:11 AM

It would appear they aren't going to be sitting down there brooding - there's going to be sustained hard work involved removing the rubble as the escape shaft is drilled.

From this clip they look a pretty impressive bunch.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 07:37 AM

From what I hear on BBC Radio4 the reason that it will take so long is that they have to drill though granite most of the way. This is not a coal mine, most of which are in relatively soft rock.

I would have thought that NASA woild be interested in the situation as some of the problems involved here are the same as on a Mars mission with a group of people stuck in close proximity for such a long period in a rather dangerous predicament. There certainly should be some lessons to be learned by the end of their time underground.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 12:52 PM

I think they are going to at least think about certain items to have on hand in case someone snaps...tranquilizers, handcuffs etc. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 02:17 PM

I'm keeping them all in my heart, every day. I feel so much for the men and their families. It must be devastating to know they're alive, and yet to not know if you'll ever see them again. This kind of tragedy unites us all as a Species.

I hope the men who own the mine, and who refused to make it safe, refused to install ladders etc...despite the miners telling them things were looking very unstable, are spending each and every moment, of each and every day swamped with guilt over their actions..or lack of action.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 04:56 PM

I assume that there are mining engineers who are exploring any other possibilities for opening up a rescue route.

Here's a piece by Ken Capstick of the NUM about the life of being a miner:

...Miners depend on each other for their own safety, which creates an unbreakable bond of camaraderie. Some might find it strange that a coalmine echoes to the sound of laughter. If I miss anything, it is the humour.

A miner is a miner wherever he works. Sometimes I spent 18 hours at a stretch in a coalmine, but can only imagine what it must be like for those fellow miners trapped in the unimaginable darkness of the San José gold and copper mine.

Leadership will be a vital element, someone experienced who they trust and respect, with the authority and mental strength to maintain his own morale as well as that of the others. I have met many men of that calibre. And in San José, 670 metres underground, it seems a natural leader has emerged – 54-year-old shift foreman Luis Urzúa.

If you have ever called a miner greedy, say a prayer with me tonight for those in Chile who, if reports are accurate, look like being there until Christmas.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Joe_F
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 06:24 PM

"Ballad of Springhill"
_Ace in the Hole_

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Beer
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 12:18 AM

Late arriving here.
Saw the video on the T.V. tonight and all i have to say is that as long as messages can be sent and heard by those men/women? than it is a great blessing to their families and their survival.
Ad.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: open mike
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 04:09 AM

what are/were they mining? I recall some grusome scenes of mines in south america...tin mines, perhaps...in one of the movies Koyanaquatsi
or powasquatsi...there were 3 movies in that series....with music by phillip glass. they were in the style of montage...almost like slide shows with image after image.....the mines in the movie were open pit maines with workers crawling up out of a pit with bags of ore on their heads and backs...oh see it is a copper mine.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 05:23 AM

"...the San José gold and copper mine."

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Seaking
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 05:49 AM

I imagine that there will be some fairly major technical issues to overcome, hence the seemingly long time period to complete the rescue bore. The drill cuttings have to be removed to surface (that's a large volume from a 2 ft hole over 2000 ft)and the rotating bit will need to be cooled and lubricated, similar to the principals involved in oil and gas well driling. That involves setting up a lot of heavy duty equipment. I doubt the drill bits will be 'off the shelf' so may have to be produced. Drilling through granite won't be quick and the drill string will probably need to be pulled regularly to replace the bit. The deeper you go the longer this takes each time it's done.

I wish the guys the very best of luck and look forward to them being rescued as soon as possible, it would seem that every available resource is being thrown at this. One of the most important factors in maintaining their mental wellbeing will be providing them regular information on the drilling progress.

Chris

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 06:26 AM

The drill cuttings have to be removed to surface As I understand it, a lot of the cuttings will be falling down into the mine, and the miners are going to be having to work long shifts to clear it away into the tunnels.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 06:56 AM

"the miners are going to be having to work long shifts to clear it away into the tunnels."

Somehow I imagine being physically engaged in essential work towards establishing their own freedom, would suit these men better that sitting around passively waiting for rescue. There's less helplessness in that, and it will help to productively eat up the long, long hours down there in the dark.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Beer
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 11:18 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 11:44 PM

Today they reported that five of the 33 men are showing signs of reacting with depression to the stress, and that they will be addressing that with a therapist and medication.

I just hope the time goes swiftly for them and that there will be a happy day when the last man is pulled out alive and well.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Newport Boy
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 10:56 AM

Some might find it strange that a coalmine echoes to the sound of laughter. If I miss anything, it is the humour.

Confirmed by Max Boyce (Duw, it's hard): "And I'll not forget the times we had, laughing midst the fear."

The drill cuttings have to be removed to surface
As I understand it, a lot of the cuttings will be falling down into the mine, and the miners are going to be having to work long shifts to clear it away into the tunnels.

The initial pilot hole will need removal to the surface, but the reaming out will let the cuttings fall, and that's about 3/4 of the total.

I think one of the worst parts of the rescue will be being hauled up inside the capsule. It's a very long way in a very small hole, and it wouldn't take much in the way of a minor fall to block progress.

I speak from (very limited) experience. I was lowered down a series of 600mm clay bores in a similar capsule to inspect the bottom. Only 12m deep, not 700m. The capsule had a mesh panel in the top, so I was able to see the sky - this won't be possible in the deep bore. I found the experience very claustrophobic - not something I suffer from normally.

Phil

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Ebbie
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 01:44 PM

Phil, that reminds me of what they tell you in Virginia's Luray Caverns when they turn off the lights to let you experience total darkness: If it scares you, close your eyes.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 03:30 PM

I couldn't do it, Phil, unless they drugged me with tranqs or something. I'd go crazy trying to get out...too claustrophobic! I guess that must be somewhat of a familiar thing to a miner, though? Not something as small as the wire basket, but tight quarters at least.

I almost couldn't finish a Nevada Barr novel once, Blind Descent. It took place in Carlsbad Caverns and the descriptions of the tight, tight, small cracks the main character had to go through just about had me going through the roof.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Newport Boy
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 04:21 PM

I'm sure miners do get used to the confined space. I've only spent one shift below ground, and the initial horror gave way to some sense of normality.

I supervised a pipejack under a railway line - the 3ft diameter pipe was about 10ft below ground and was gradually pushed under the line with hydraulic jacks. To make this work, someone has to dig out the ground in front of the pipe. We had an ex-miner do the job. He went in at 8am and came out at 4pm each day. He ate his lunch where he was working, and wouldn't come out. The maximum distance was 25 yards!

Phil

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Ebbie
Date: 12 Sep 10 - 07:53 PM

A glitch but on target... How hard it is.

Plans continue

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 12 Sep 10 - 11:35 PM

Since they have been down for a month, why are they now getting cigarettes? A golden chance to give up, surely.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: open mike
Date: 13 Sep 10 - 01:39 AM

any news on this situation? I played some mining songs on my radio show by way of sending good thoughts for a positive outcome for these miners

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Gurney
Date: 13 Sep 10 - 01:48 AM

One of the men must be especially worried, according to my lady. She heard on the news that both his wife and his girlfriend turned up at the pithead.   And got talking.....

Mary put her finger on the point that occured to me. I hope the place is big enough to get away from the waste-products.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: open mike
Date: 13 Sep 10 - 03:01 AM

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iWbdQnTuWBzuFDy7O-UjlSjeuMOg

they are being shown exercise videos and are working out one hour a day

http://ap.juneauempire.com/pstories/20100912/707006659.shtml

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 13 Sep 10 - 07:32 AM

>One of the men must be especially worried, according to my lady. She heard on the news that both his wife and his girlfriend turned up at the pithead.   And got talking<

I really feel for the men down the mine and hope they emerge safe and unharmed, but I would love to be a fly on the wall when they all meet up again with their loved ones!

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: I don't know
Date: 15 Sep 10 - 03:42 AM

Just read one of the miners wife has had her baby (Girl). Best wishes to the family & lets hope they soon get all the miners out.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 15 Sep 10 - 04:17 AM

That's right and they have named her Esperanza (Hope). Here's hoping he gets to meet her very soon!

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 15 Sep 10 - 04:53 AM

Yes I hope so to, it is sad that the wife had to be without her husband at the birth but it will give him the determination to keep going until he meets his beautiful baby girl.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Mr Happy
Date: 15 Sep 10 - 09:17 AM

.........so the rules on smoking down the mines now rescinded?

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Gurney
Date: 15 Sep 10 - 03:55 PM

This isn't a coal mine, Mr. Happy. They're the mines with an explosive gas problem everywhere. And the guys trapped are experienced, so they possibly have a Davy Lamp with them so that they can test for firedamp.

From my own long-ago experience, miners are very much aware of the dangers of their profession, far more so than the average workman, because the dangers are far more immediate.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 17 Sep 10 - 10:24 PM

Drill reaches trapped Chile miners A drilling operation has reached 33 miners trapped in a Chile mine since early August, but the 630-metre deep hole now must be widened to bring the men out safely, a government official said.

The work still required to extract the miners was to take at least another six weeks, according to officials' estimates ...

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Ebbie
Date: 17 Sep 10 - 10:35 PM

Wonderful to hear of the progress!

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: open mike
Date: 18 Sep 10 - 01:29 AM

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/9/18/worldupdates/2010-09-18T100929Z_01_NOOTR_RTRMDNC_0_-515818-2&sec=Worldupdates

I hope they will be rescued soon. I wish for
Fresh air and sunshine for them all!

One of them has proposed to marry his girlfriend of 25 years...
I hope they get the chance to do this soon!

i read that besides just visiting, some of the wives and mistresses are competing for possible compensation or support payments..

maybe the guys would just rather stay down below!

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 18 Sep 10 - 02:54 AM

tho the miner who has a new baby is probably eager to get to the fresh air & sunshine.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 Oct 10 - 09:10 PM

It's looking hopeful - Chile drill will reach miners 'in days', say engineers

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Oct 10 - 10:10 PM

That is wonderful news, McGrath, thanks for the update!

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: GUEST,Ebbie, housesitting
Date: 07 Oct 10 - 12:25 AM

Oh, how I hope that things go well. And now it looks like they've gained more time. The other day they speculated it would be late October.

I like that touch about sun glasses!

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 07 Oct 10 - 09:41 AM

I'm glad that it is getting closer and closer to them getting out. It sounds hopeful.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 01:37 PM

Chile miners should be reached 'within hours'

8th October: Rescuers hope to reach the 33 miners trapped underground in Chile within 24 hours, the mining minister says.

Laurence Golborne said drilling equipment was being changed in preparation for the final push, but he said it would be three to eight days before the rescue mission would begin.

Engineers said the shaft was now just 34m (112ft) from the chamber.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 02:00 PM

I know they were concerned about those who were overweight because they would not fit..any word if they have lost enough weight? mg

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Oct 10 - 02:16 PM

I would imagine they have all lost some weight. One really good thing is they have set routines for work, sleep, personal time, etc. There's a neat sort of grid with pictures of each team on THIS PAGE. The oldest one, who is 63, has been working down in the mines since he was 12 and had been thinking of retiring. 53 years of working down in there! Amazing fellows.

May they all come to the surface, safe and well. What a wonder this has been and will be..such an incredible feat and example of what good folks can do for a common cause.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 09 Oct 10 - 10:26 AM

Breakthrough in Chile mine rescue

A bell was rung and, in the morning mist, relatives scrambled up a barren hillside overlooking the site. They chanted and waved red, white and blue Chilean flags.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Oct 10 - 11:47 AM

YES!!

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Rumncoke
Date: 09 Oct 10 - 12:04 PM

I was just wondering what thoughts would go throught the head of the last man down there after the last but one man had climbed into the cage and been hauled up.

I think that it would seem to be a very long time before the cage reappeared.

Anne

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Oct 10 - 02:26 PM

If I am reading it rightly, one of the miners won't be the last as there are teams of rescuers who are going to go down to assist them. I would think it would be one of them who would be last. T'would be a lonely, nerve-racking thing, to be sure. I'll bet if the oldest miner, 63, had his way, he'd be last as in a captain on a ship. Just guessing from what I've read about him.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 09 Oct 10 - 11:48 PM

kat - The men had lost an estimated 10 kilograms each during the two-and-a-half weeks before they were found alive.
Rescuers finish escape shaft for miners
(extract) ... However they are still several days away from freedom as the nearly 625-metre metre rescue shaft needs to be checked.

Mining minister Laurence Golborne says rescuers expect to start bringing miners to the surface on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Mr Golborne says the the shaft drilled to the miners will only need to be partially reinforced with 16 steel tubes.

"We only need to case the first 96 metres with steel. It should take about a day and a half," he said.

"Once they're in place it should take us 48-hours to put the phoenix rescue capsule and the winch at the top of the mine in place.

"If everything goes according to plan we should be able to start rescuing the first miners at the start of the next week."

It will then take three to 10 days to winch them to the surface one at a time in special capsules just wider than a man's shoulders.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Oct 10 - 10:45 AM

I do hope the rescue capsule works as designed.

This could be the basis for a very long ballad.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Ebbie
Date: 10 Oct 10 - 12:15 PM

I just hope the ballad has a happy ending.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 10 Oct 10 - 12:26 PM

If something went wrong with this shaft they've drilled, there's still a crew working on drilling another one just in case.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Ebbie
Date: 11 Oct 10 - 12:25 PM

They now expect to start hauling them out on Wednesday \/ (fingers crossed)

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: open mike
Date: 11 Oct 10 - 04:00 PM

most of them have lost weight...perhaps they could start a weight loss spa down there.

here is an article about the other changes they may have gone thru
with links to other articles.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/08/trapped-chile-miners-near-rescue-changed_n_756667.html

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 11 Oct 10 - 04:31 PM

Is it deep enough and have they been there long enough to get something similar to the bends? mg

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 Oct 10 - 05:19 PM

Could be - see here:

...Dr. Bailus Walker, an environmental and occupational medicine expert at Howard University Medical Center, says one concern is the effect the barometric pressure will have on their bodies as they're brought up. "   You'll see muscular aches and pains in the joints called 'the bends' as a result of the decompression. You could see some respiratory difficulties called 'the chokes.' You'll see increased blood pressure, and some lung damage–but the adequate supply of oxygen should keep lung problems at a minimum."

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: catspaw49
Date: 11 Oct 10 - 10:18 PM

For almost three months I've been reading this thread title and always thinking, "Gimmee a Chilean trapped miner on rye, light mayo, mustard, and kraut, with an order of slaw on the side."

Sorry......had to say it.........

On the plus side I too am looking forward to the next days!


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 11 Oct 10 - 10:47 PM

Here's a link to an informative article from the Kansas City Star. The drilling firm whose shaft reached the miners is in the Kansas City area - about a mile from my house, in fact.

The article will put a lump in your throat, especially at the end.

drilling

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Ebbie
Date: 12 Oct 10 - 12:47 AM

On tonight's news they said that a more potent reason for vying to be hauled up last is that that is the one who will be entered in the record books. They also said that the last man up will be the foreman of the group.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 12 Oct 10 - 02:01 AM

Apparently an Aussie Engineer was involved in organizing the rescue ...

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Jeri
Date: 12 Oct 10 - 10:13 PM

The first rescue worker is preparing to begin going down into the mine. Apparently, the plan has changed from sending 4 rescue workers down before bringing any miners up. They just said they'll send down one rescue worker, then bring one miner up.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 12 Oct 10 - 10:24 PM

One rescue worker, and one medical examiner.

I am setting the alarm for 12:00GMT and will watch the BBCnews channel on cable TV; they are scheduled to broadcast live.

The foreman always is the last to be rescued; there are parallels with the captain of a ship. Don't know his physical condition, however, and this enters into determining the order.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Jeri
Date: 12 Oct 10 - 10:28 PM

They think the first rescue worker will get to the bottom in about 4 minutes. I hope I can at least see the first miner get to the surface.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Jeri
Date: 12 Oct 10 - 10:40 PM

He's down. The camera in the mine captured him arriving and getting out of the capsule. That guy got hugged by what have to be some very fragrant men. Absolutely amazing!

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Jeri
Date: 12 Oct 10 - 11:15 PM

First miner is out.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: ClaireBear
Date: 12 Oct 10 - 11:20 PM

What a wonderful thing to see --- or rather hear; I don't think the transmission bandwidth is quite equal to all the people who've logged on to CNN for video. We heard the applause and cheering, and got video in time for some hugging.

This is a joy.

C

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 12 Oct 10 - 11:24 PM

They are getting ready to put a second medic or whatever down but something seems to not be going right..the tube looks a bit crooked but I am sure they will straighten it out.

What is that song that goes the whole wide world is watching..oh..the hour that the ship comes in. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 12:15 AM

second one is out and seems quite exhuberant and healthy. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: ClaireBear
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 12:18 AM

Yelling, even. Wonder what he's saying? His wife seems amused...

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Big Mick
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 12:19 AM

His response and excitement is very cool, eh, MG? What a neat thing to witness.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 12:25 AM

Fantastic!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 12:49 AM

I don't have cable so I'm watching CNN online.

http://edition.cnn.com/.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Slag
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 01:36 AM

TA DA!

Hundreds of millions of caring people, world wide now watch and rejoice!

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Big Mick
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 01:38 AM

yeah, Tom. I need to go to bed, but I am riveted to this. The looks on the faces of the loved ones, as these gents emerge is priceless. And huzzah for El President, verdad?

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 02:18 AM

The world has changed forever because of this...changed utterly...in all sorts of ways..mg

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: GUEST,Lizzie Cornish
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 03:44 AM

I've just watched Jimmy Sanchez, the youngest miner, being brought out..and the tears started pouring down my face...SO much love at Camp Hope, and so many lessons about love, support, and the wonderful side of human nature to be learnt from all this..

It's already on Youtube...here's the very first miner being brought up.

Florencio Avalos being rescued..Youtube

May they all make it back safely.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Richie Black (misused acct, bad email)
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 05:15 AM

Wonderful news. What these men went through we can never start to imagine. I see the BBC has come under fire today for spending tens of thousands of pounds sending an 'extraordinary' army of staff to cover the story of the trapped Chilean miners.

About 35 corporation staff was there for the release of the trapped men, 2 more than those being rescued. Other organisations covering the event have been shocked at the numbers of corporation employees covering the story in South America.


Rivals such as ITV News and Sky News have sent nowhere near the same amount of people. Sky News have three people covering the story for radio, online and TV. ITV News has four.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 07:52 AM

Rivals such as ITV News and Sky News have sent nowhere near the same amount of people.

Is anyone watching their coverage? The BBC had the right understanding of what a very special story this is. There's never been anything that really compares to it.

Good news. The world needs that.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 08:03 AM

Number ten, Alex Vega Salazar, up safe and well and happy. Here's a page with all the names and pictures - Alex is second in Grupo Rampa.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 08:17 AM

Anyone written a song yet?
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: olddude
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 08:29 AM

I tell you, I was standing up yelling and clapping ... how wonderful is that !!

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 08:47 AM

Some say that grown men aren't supposed to cry.

I don't care...

The little boy bursting into tears when his Dad came out, would surely move the hardest of hearts.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Rafflesbear
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 08:48 AM

Surely on this if on nothing else the entire human race is united

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 09:30 AM

Australia ABC24 has been a mostly non stop ad free coverage - just reached 12.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 10:48 AM

McGrath said, "Good news. The world needs that."

Two other items of good news recently: A ferry caught fire and nobody died. A five-year-old boy was lost in southern Missouri. 400 volunteers turned out and found him in a few hours, in a bean field.

The volunteers were a mixture of Mennonites and Air Force personnel from Whiteman AFB.
=======
Thanks for the updates on the miners.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Richie Black (misused acct, bad email)
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 10:58 AM

It is going to be difficult for the miners and their families to settle into a normal life again once the media lose interest.

I read on the BBC that a few extra wives and girlfriends some with children turned up to greet the miners and it lead to some very unpleasant scenes.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 11:03 AM

World-wide cooperation helping people in trouble.

What a refreshing and wonderful idea!

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Ebbie
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 11:27 AM

15

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Jack Campin
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 12:02 PM

Is it deep enough and have they been there long enough to get something similar to the bends?

No, despite what the self-proclaimed expert from "Howard University" said. The pressure change is less and slower than you get taking off in a modern airliner.

No mineshaft in the world is deep enough to give you the bends, even if you were shot out of it in a rocket.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: GUEST,mauvepink
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 01:43 PM

The last time I think any rescue attempt hit the world stage so widely was probably Apollo 13. This is looking like a most wonderful outcome borne out of great possible tragedy and strife.

Well done to all involved and good luck to all the survivors.

Personally I think the Chilean Government should put a ban on any of these men and their families being disturbed for at least 2 weeks in order to let them have peace and rest.

We have watched with interest and concern. As soon as they are up we have no right to know about them other than they are doing well. The world should allow them space to recover before getting the rest of what is hoped is a succesful end to the story.

Good luck and best wishes to them all and their families.

mp

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: gnu
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 01:49 PM

I just read about the extractions to this point. If that don't bring a tear to yer eyes...

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 01:51 PM

Lost some sleep last night. The BBC coverage (on our cable here in Calgary) is excellent.

That Pennsylvania company that designed and furnished the percussion drill should do well.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 01:59 PM

Won't do the people who supplied the sunglasses any harm either.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 02:29 PM

Don't be so f***ing cynical, McGrath.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Bill D
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 05:28 PM

It's just all good....people and companies from a number of countries co-operated in this rescue, and Chile has done a pretty good job of handling the logistics....and the president of Chile HAS stayed out there all night and greeted each one, no matter what you think about his motivation.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Bill D
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 05:31 PM

oh, also, I believe he has said that this mine will NOT reopen.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Ed T
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 05:42 PM

Brings me back to the Springhill Nova Scotia coal mine disaster(s) those who survived and those who did not.

My hat off to all miners, worldwide.


the Dubliners


Springhill coal mine disaster

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Ed T
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 06:02 PM

In my previous post, on Springhill there is a live TV broadcast from 1956. It is clip number 4.

Compare what we see today, on CNN BBC and others to live broadcasts then:Clip 4

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: ragdall
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 06:19 PM

Twenty-six up, seven to go. Can you imagine what it will be like for the last man standing alone in that mine waiting for the capsule to go up and come down again?

Oops, make that twenty-seven! Wonderful to watch good news for a change!

rags

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Bill D
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 06:22 PM

The 'last man' will be one of the rescue team... I hope they get the recognition they deserve.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Bill D
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 06:29 PM

BTW...if you have broadband and GoogleEarth, you can type in Copiapó, Chile and look up the valley and see the mine location....very bare & dry

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 06:34 PM

After the 33 there will still be three rescue workers to go up. And remember, they volunteered to go down that hole...

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 07:06 PM

One said that they were driving a truck and stopped it to look at a white butterfly that flew in somehow and then the mine collapsed and they say the butterfly saved them...una ________ blanca ..great song.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: ragdall
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 07:47 PM

Thirty up. Three plus two to go. The last two won't have been underground very long.

mg, are you suggesting a new song, Una Mariposa Blanca?

rags

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Sorcha
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 08:08 PM

How did they decide who is next? Other than obvious medical conditions? I'm pretty damn impressed by this whole thing!

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: ragdall
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 08:33 PM

Thirty-two up, one miner to go. The TV news (CTV) is saying there are six rescue workers down there.

rags

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 09:02 PM

33 up - now just the 3 volunteers who went down ....

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: ClaireBear
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 09:05 PM

What a wonder to participate in this via Internet. Sometimes this technology leaves me breathless.

C

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Don Firth
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 09:06 PM

Fantastic! Watching a live feed from Chile right now.

The last miner is up!

Nice to watch some really good news for a change!!

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: skipy
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 09:09 PM

Wonderful! And grown men SHOULD cry when they have a reason or need too. Maybe it is the less grown, lacking feelings & soul that don't!
Great fete of engineering, well done to all the unsung heros who made it happen.
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: ragdall
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 09:21 PM

First volunteer is on the way up. Five more to go.

rags

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 09:33 PM

Great story. Fantastic Rescue!
Kudos to BBC News TV for carrying the entire rescue from start to finish.
The BBC News, carried here in Canada on cable, is the best news service we have. CNN, etc, are pitiful by comparison.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Charley Noble
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 10:54 PM

I like a happy ending.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 10:54 PM

Still going live on BBC from what I can tell...it's says it is live.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 11:09 PM

Only one rescue worker left to bring up.

Just by chance I finished reading "Shackleton's Boat Journey" by F. A. Worley, today. Near the very end, Shackleton and Worley were trying to return to Elephant Island to rescue their shipmates from the Endeavour after it was crushed by ice in Antarctica. After three attempts, Worley writes, "the Chilean Government came nobly to the rescue. They lent Shackleton the little steamer "Ylecho." And, finally, they were able, after 16 months on the ice, to rescue their fellow explorers of the 1914-1916 expedition. Seems Chile had some good karmic brownie points to redeem.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: Ebbie
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 11:10 PM

Isn't it just stupendous! I feel like a party- but I'll have to wait until Friday. No problem- the wonderful feeling will last.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 11:34 PM

All Out, now, including rescuers!!! Yes, I feel like a party, too, Ebbie!!

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 11:42 PM

.. so, by now media savvy miners prepared for the inevitable live news camera frenzy
on the surface;

.. did the underground rescue worker team include a hair stylist ?

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: open mike
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 12:08 AM

hooray!!

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: GUEST,Lizzie Cornish
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 02:57 AM

This morning I was about to search for youtube footage from the Chilean President, but I found myself first going into Facebook, and there I found the most moving piece of writing I've seen in a very long time.

It's from my dear friend, Gloria...who lost her beloved son, and only child, when he was killed by a drunk driver around 5 years back. Peter Thomas James was just 22 years old. She wrote it whilst watching the rescue of the miners...and I just wanted to share it with others..for all those who watched that incredible rescue and felt as Gloria did....their own searingly painful sense of loss, and their own deep knowledge of love.

'Just Once More'
I have been watching the rescue of the 33 miners from Chile and it has been so heartwarming and touching. But one rescue touched me more than I thought it would.

One young man was on his way up. Waiting for this twenty someth...ing, six foot something young man was his mother. She stood off to the side, in her place, wearing her hard hat and listening to instructions. All the while her face was saying something else, "give him to me". She stood there and with every inch of the rope that made it's way around the wheel, her heart could be seen in her face. Tears, just an eyelid away from falling, her hands wrapped in each other, wringing and whirling with anticipation. You could see her shaking her head yes when someone spoke to her but you knew she wasn't hearing a word they were saying. Her heart was saying, "not now please, just let me see him." This woman who knew this young man before he was born, cared for him, raised him, loved him, waiting now for a glimpse of the only thing in this world that means anything to her.

The time arrived and the top of the capsule was emerging. She was on edge and her body kept making moves toward it, towards him, and yet she held herself strong and in place. The last thing she wanted to do was to do anything wrong now that he was so close. And then magic!!!! Out into the fresh air of the world, HER world just came into sight. She watched as the rescue workers undid every strap that held him in, every inch that kept him safe and all the while every tear in her heart was waiting to touch him. She watched just like she probably did on the day he was born when the doctors checked him out for the first time. Making sure everything was perfect, she now stood to watch and wait to make sure everything is perfect, again. Not one mother can ever forget that amazing moment when your child is first placed in your arms and now she was waiting to have that magical love happen once again. It did. Her son fell into her, reached for her and there she was! She held him, rubbed his back, hug after hug after hug, tear after tear after tear. I felt each one, knew each one, and with each happy one for her, my heart broke, even though I was so happy for her. I have waited so long for my, "just once more". I actually looked at the television and said out loud, "I know, I know". After a few thank yous and hugs from the rescue workers her son was placed on a stretcher to be brought to the hospital just to make sure he is fine. As they were rolling him away, she came out of nowhere and touched his body a few more times and then her hands went up to his face. You could hear her heart begging, "just once more, just once more, please before you take him, just once more". My heart is filled with love for this mother, my eyes are filled with tears, and my soul is filled with words, "just once more, just once more, please before you take him, just once more.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 04:12 AM

Lizzie, this lady clearly needs to get over the death of her son, probably best she sees a therapist as this isn't a normal grief reaction. Did you tell her there is no parallel in this case and the death of her son. Help her move on and not to make comparisons with other situations.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 04:13 AM

Well done to all those who made it possible to get the miners out.
Isn't it nice to see everybody pulling together to help each other.
The miners looked remarkably well considering. I know there are knock on medical issues, but to see them all walk out of the capsule smiling, hugging, talking etc, was just amazing.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: I don't know
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 04:18 AM

Guest Lizzie Cornish, thank you for that posting it is a moving piece. Thank god all the miners (& rescuers) are all out. May they have some quality time with there families out of the media glare before deciding on there futures. Hope everyone is as well as they appear & none suffer to much mentally from the ordeal. A big thank you to everyone who helped save them.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 07:30 AM

It doesn't use words, it doesn't need to, but I think this BBC piece pretty much says it all. (Hope it's available for those outside the uk)

Click here

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: Charley Noble
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 08:25 AM

It will be a challenge for the ballad composers, a long ballad but with a happy ending!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 08:38 AM

Lizzie, thank you so much for sharing that.

I know exactly what she means. Would you or she mind if I share that beautiful piece of writing (and of her heart)?

Patsy, dear, there are parallels in every lost truly felt. That is where our com-passion comes from.

Dani

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: GUEST,crazy little woman
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 10:53 AM

The shaft was 2300 feet deep

It curved, but not enough to keep the capsule from making it up and down. Special equipment was used to try to keep it straight.

The top 180 feet of the hole was lined with steel to keep the hole open.

The driller was called in from Afghanistan because 'he is the best in the world' according to his supervisor.

The driller worked for 33 days straight. When there was an unexplained pop sound close to the end of the hole, he said he thought it was his heart giving out.

I don't watch TV. Tell me, did these extraordinary efforts get any attention or credit at all? Doesn't sound like it.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: Little Hawk
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 10:59 AM

This rescue has been a marvelous accomplishment by the Chileans.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 12:12 PM

Lizzie, I've had tears running down my cheeks from the beauty of your friend's posting. Thanks for sharing it.

Patsy, you may have good intentions in what you wrote, but what I read in Lizzie's friend's post was a strong sense of empathy and compassion, as noted above, one mother to another. What parent who has lost a child, wouldn't hope for "Just Once More?"

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: GUEST,Lizzie Cornish
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 12:14 PM

"Would you or she mind if I share that beautiful piece of writing (and of her heart)?"

Dani, by all means, please do, and....thank you for understanding. x

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 01:04 PM

I hadn't heard about the Afghanastani driller but they surely would have a lot of expertise in that mountainous country I would think. What we heard off and on was that it was a driller from Colorado...they could have taken turns of course. All that engineered it and accomplished it are magnificent in my book. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 01:08 PM

Oh I was confused...he was the guy from COlorado but was drilling for Army in Afghanistan. Same guy. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 01:28 PM

From:HERE

American contractor Jeff Hart led the drilling effort to reach the trapped miners in Chile

Before he joined the rescue effort in Chile, Jeff Hart was drilling water wells for the U.S. Army's forward operating bases in Afghanistan. The contractor from Denver, Colorado, spent 33 days operating the drill that finally broke through to the miners last weekend. "You have to feel through your feet what the drill is doing; it's a vibration you get so that you know what's happening," says Hart, 40. After the Aug. 5 collapse at the privately-owned owned San Jose mine, the state-owned Codelco mining company reached out to Geotec Boyles Bros., a U.S.-Chilean company, to handle one of three simultaneous drilling efforts to rescue the miners. Geotec assembled a team of drillers, including engineers from two Pennsylvania companies - Schramm Inc., which makes the T130 drill, and Center Rock Inc., which makes the larger than average drill bits. Hart, a specialist with handling the T130, was summoned from Afghanistan. Hart says it was the toughest hole he's drilled, due to the tough quartzite rock that sits between the mine's veins of gold and copper. Hart received a champagne shower after breaking through to the miners on Saturday.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 01:54 PM

I don't watch TV. Tell me, did these extraordinary efforts get any attention or credit at all? Doesn't sound like it.

The BBC rightly gave the drilling crew a fair bit of attention.
..........................

I see there's a suggestion that, because the BBC put so much into covering this, it might scale down its coverage of the Oscars. That sounds as if it got its priorities dead right.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 02:12 PM

And here is the first man who used the Phoenix capsule to go down into the mine, and the last to use it to come out. Last rescuer, Manuel Gonzales, leaves Chile mine

From the BBC website, of course.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 02:18 PM

Jeff Hart's drill bit was a percussion type (rotation plus percussion) for hard-rock drilling. The bit, made by a company in Pennsylvania, was the reason his drill beat the other two, which depended only on rotating diamond fitted bits.

Credit belongs to many, as the Chilean president pointed out. Some contributions were large, some small, but they all helped.

The capsule was built in the shops of the Chilean Navy.
The dark glasses and some other equipment, one of the small contributions, came from a company here in Calgary.
The cable was rapidly shipped from Germany, where its type is made to hold gondolas on aerial tramways.
Geotec engineers helped in several ways.

Guest CLW, many more need credit; a few were mentioned in passing but somewhere a full iisting should be posted.

The section boss (last man up) kept discipline among his crew, extremely important.
The man with paramedic training worked out minimum rations for survival. It was two or more weeks before the men were located and a small conduit drilled through to provide them with food, medicine and contact with the world above.
The families of the men sent messages that kept spirits up.
The Medical Services of Chile helped in many ways.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 02:23 PM

Contributions have been mentioned from CHina, Japan, Ireland, Austria. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 02:34 PM

Yes, so many. I would like to see more than mentions to fill out the picture.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 02:46 PM

OT but do they speak a slower version of Espanol in Chile than they do in the more commonly heard Mexican dialects? I seem to be able to understand a few words now and then of the CHilean broadcasts. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 04:00 PM

They seemed to be wearing harnesses..was there a plan to winch them up personally if the cage got stuck? Probably was..Looked like rapelling gear. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 04:40 PM

The harness, invented by Brian Russell of New Zealand, and made by Zephyr Technology, was designed to monitor vital signs, in this case of the trapped miners. The reason was to make sure the men didn't faint on the way up.

Also used by firefighters, swat teams, military teams, etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 04:46 PM

The point of the harness was to hold them upright, in case they passed out while being winched up. If the cage stuck the idea was for the passenger to detach the lower half, and be lowered.
................

Incidentally the chant that was roared out when the miners came up was

"CHI CHI CHI LE LE LE, LOS MINEROS DE CHILE!" - a reworking of what Chile's football supporters use at international football matches - "CHI CHI CHI LE LE LE, VIVA CHILE!" (For example here.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: open mike
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 05:45 PM

Lizzie...thank you for sharing that message. (there is no need to be critical of it or of the mother whose heart went out to the other mother!!) This message helped me to find tears that had not yet
surfaced during the whole ordeal...very cathartic!

Grief counsellors are the first ones to say that each person's grieving process is personal, and that it is not helpful to just
say "you should get over it" as there are many ways to deal with loss.

When my mother died, Hospice workers were so helpful that i wanted
to join thier group to help others thru. (of course it is totally
different when the loss of life is sudden, or the loved one is young)

perhaps that mom could channel her grief thru Mothers Against Drunk Driving and find a support group there. I was hit by a drunk driver
while bicycling and sustained major injuries....an incident that stays with you for a life time!!

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: The Sandman
Date: 15 Oct 10 - 07:57 AM

WHY did the accident happen?were proper safety procedures ignored?

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: Bettynh
Date: 15 Oct 10 - 11:39 AM

GSS, they're investigating.

When someone writes that ballad, please mention that the Chilean rescue teams were immediately drilling. It took more than a couple weeks to contact them, but no rescue would have happened if the miners had died of starvation in that mine. The whole world assisted the rescue, but the first contact should be Chile's pride.

All this happened in a country that moves over about 10 feet every few years. From Wikipedia about this year's earthquake:
"Seismologists estimate that the earthquake was so powerful that it may have shortened the length of the day by 1.26 microseconds and moved the Earth's figure axis by 8 cm or 2.7 milliarcseconds. Precise GPS measurement indicated the telluric movement moved the entire city of Concepción 3.04 metres (10 ft) to the west. The capital Santiago experienced a displacement of almost 24 centimetres (10 in) west, and even Buenos Aires, about 1,350 kilometres (840 mi) from Concepción, shifted 3.9 centimetres (1.5 in). It is estimated that Chile's territory could have expanded 1.2 km² as a result."

This list shows almost 20 major earthquakes since 1960. The Chileans are GOOD at disasters. They have to be.

Subject: RE: BS: Chilean trapped miners - All Out & Safe!
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 15 Oct 10 - 11:39 AM

Yes..