Miners trapped in Chile · AditNow Community

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simonrl
51% (Neutral)
Administration Topic Starter

15 years ago

From the beeb

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-10905276

Quote:

Rescue workers in Chile have suspended their attempt to reach 34 miners trapped underground after a cave-in blocked search crews.

No contact has been made with the miners since a tunnel collapsed on Thursday at the San Esteban mine, near the city of Copiapo in northern Chile.

The miners were working at a depth of around 450m (1,475ft) and officials hope they took refuge in a shelter.

Major mining accidents are uncommon in Chile, the world's top copper producer.

Three teams were attempting to reach the trapped miners using a ventilation shaft.

my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by

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toadstone
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

If mine accidents are supposed to be uncommon in Chile the same can not be said for China.

Latest report is a fire in a gold mine. This link to Montreal Gazette gives additional details of other accidents and statistics.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/China+gold+mine+fire+kills+workers/3372198/story.html

simonrl
51% (Neutral)
Administration Topic Starter

15 years ago

This one at least appears to have ended happily:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11054376

Quote:

Thirty-three miners who have been trapped underground in a Chilean mine for the past 17 days are all alive, President Sebastian Pinera has said.

Rescuers heard hammering noises when they sent a new probe into the mine.

When the probe came back it had a note tied to it saying: "All 33 of us are fine in the shelter."

The men were working at a depth of around 700m (2,300ft) at the San Jose mine, near the city of Copiapo, when the rock above them collapsed.

my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by

Vanoord
54.4% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

Other than the fact that they're likely to be there until Christmas!

Apparently they now need to drill a much larger shaft, large enough to lift the miners out through, a process which is likely to take approximately 4 months.

In the meantime, at least they can lower food and water down the shaft they have and presumably also run some sort of basic communications and ventilation down there.

Hello again darkness, my old friend...

ChrisJC
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

It surprises me a bit that the rescue plan is to sink a 700m shaft from the surface straight into the refuge.

I would have thought that it would have been easier to reopen access through the collapsed area.

Maybe they need the CATMHS digging team...

Chris.

Mr Mike
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

It would seem to make sense to dig through, but saying that the new hydroelectric plant on Lock Ness had a massive tunnel collapse earlier this year, some 'x' 100's of metres, and they started driving a new bypass tunnel rather than mucking out.

Mr Mike www.mineexplorer.org.uk

AR
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

There's a diagram of the deposit in todays' Times and it looks like there's a big spiral decline through it which has run in quite badly about 2/3 of the way down. If the trapped men can get out of the refuge and up to the collapse then they may be able to assess how much collapse there is and whether it would be easier to dig through. The mining company also reckon they may be able to get through quicker with assistance.

Follow the horses, Johnny my laddie, follow the horses canny lad-oh!

Morlock
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

From Wiki.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MSJ.en.svg

ICLOK
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

I thought i was hearing things.... they did say Christmas!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh Creeper!!!!!

Imageo
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#10

Yes, it's relatively easy to muck out the broken dirt (although some of it may require secondary blasting) - except that there may be an awful lot of it. The principal difficulty then becomes supporting the resulting void by standard ground support methods and if it's 20 or 30 metres high that can be very difficult and very dangerous. Hence driving a by-pass is usually the preferred option. Why they're not doing this and are pursuing the idea of a man sized drillhole is a bit of a mystery. They probably are considering it but the drill hole idea makes for much more exciting news coverage.

I'm a Geo

'There's a very fine line between a hobby and mental illness.'

ChrisJC
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#11

Better section of the mine here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11071151

Interesting how the decline seems to be suspended in mid-air!!

Chris.

RichardLevett
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#12

If the entire mine stoped out like in the BBC plan then it'll be massive in there. It would be worth a look if it wasn't so far away!

jagman
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#13

"RichardLevett" wrote:
If the entire mine stoped out like in the BBC plan then it'll be massive in there. It would be worth a look if it wasn't so far away!

If the entire mine is stoped out as the BBC plan presents then they should all be home long befoe Christmas!
Easy to drill through fresh(ish) air....

Redwinch
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#14

"Imageo" wrote:
The principal difficulty then becomes supporting the resulting void by standard ground support methods and if it's 20 or 30 metres high that can be very difficult and very dangerous. .

Shame the original NORPEX diggers are nearly OAP's 🙂

Still supporting Rampgill. last time I looked

Morlock
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#15

A bit of underground camera footage just on Sky News.

ChrisJC
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#16

Things are not as bad as they seem:
http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/international/chilean-mine-starting-to-sound-not-bad-201008263039/
http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/international/chilean-mine-starting-to-sound-not-bad-201008263039/
Chris.

simonrl
51% (Neutral)
Administration Topic Starter

15 years ago

#17

Quote:

A drill boring a rescue hole has now reached the 33 Chilean miners trapped since 5 August, officials have said.

However, it will take weeks for the 630m (2,060ft) deep hole to be redrilled to allow the miners to be pulled out. The width is now 30cm (12in) and will need to be about 70cm.

It is hoped the men can be freed by early November.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11350066

my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by

lawsonium
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#18

They have become the longest surviving people to have been trapped underground.
They are however far from safe. Still a lot of possible problems I would imagine.
Let's hope all goes smoothly.

Nom nom nom.

toadstone
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#19

The latest reports (BBC 1 News), shows the arrival of the "escape pod" on site at the mine. I can't say it inspires me especially when the Doctor says that the men will not be sedated during their their estimated hour long journey in the pod to the surface. Apparently the person in the pod will need to be "fully aware", in order to help if things go wrong.

:ohmygod:

sbt
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#20

However it does have an 'escape hatch' in the floor and a means for the
occupant to lower themselves back into the mine. Plus an independent
oxygen supply. They are not just 'a cage'.

From what I gather from the coverage they were deigned and built by the
Chilean Navy.

What impresses me is that a Paramedic will be the first passenger,
going DOWN into the mine to check over and treat the miners, some of
whom have medical conditions (Diabetes was mentioned). Presumably he
will Triage the men to determine priority of escape. Brave man.

Rick