Final stage in Chile mine rescue set for Wednesday
Intricate and painstaking final preparations are being put in place, to rescue 33
miners, who've been trapped 700 meters below Chile's Atacama Desert since August 5th.
Mining Minister Laurance Golborne has cautioned against self congratulatory celebrations,
starkly stating that no one has yet been rescued. In a press conference close
to the lip of the San Jose Mine, he has confirmed that the top 96 meters of the shaft
will be re-enforced by steel tubing. The rest of the rock below it, will stay as it
is. The rescues are likely to start Wednesday, when the special capsule will be lowered
700 meters down to where the shaft has reached the miners. This type of operation
has never been done before. Before the winching up can be done, a doctor will
descend to examine each of the 33 men to decide in what order they'll be winched up,
one by one. Chile's President Sebastian Pinera has said a disaster is ending as
a true blessing. Everyone involved in the rescue and countless millions around the
world, who have watched this drama unfold, hope that his prediction will come to pass.