Chile mining minister describes rescue process

Traveling at 1 meter per second, the capsule will take approximately 25 minutes to descend, 10 to come back up

Published October 12, 2010 10:13PM (EDT)

Mining Minister Laurence Golborne describes how the rescuers will free the 33 trapped miners. ITN News provides the video:

Rescuers will first perform a test run, sending the empty capsule down and up the bore hole. A rescuer will then enter the capsule, traversing the hole multiple times "taking some measures." After which, at the bottom, he will aid the first miner into the capsule, which will then be sent to the surface. A second rescuer will travel down the hole, where a second miner will ascend. From there, the two rescuers will continually send the remaining miners to the surface.

Traveling at 1 meter per second, the trip from the bottom to the top is estimated to be between 10 to 15 minutes. The descent is expected to take 25 to 30 minutes.

After 12 hours, two additional rescuers will be sent down to provide help and rest for the first rescuers.


By Chris Le

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Chile Mine Rescue