'Phoenix' rescue capsule arrives ahead of schedule at Chilean mine

[Judi Lynn]

Source: CNN

'Phoenix' rescue capsule arrives ahead of schedule at Chilean mine
By Karl Penhaul, CNN
September 25, 2010 6:00 p.m. EDT

Copiapo, Chile (CNN) -- Rescue workers in Chile took delivery Saturday of a 420-kilogram (924-pound) cage that is expected to haul 33 trapped miners back to the surface.

Authorities have dubbed the device the "Phoenix Capsule" because they say it will help the miners rise up again and give them a new life.

The first rescue capsule arrived at the San Jose gold and copper mine Saturday afternoon, draped in plastic sheeting. About half an hour later, Chilean Mining Minister Laurence Golborne and Health Minister Jaime Manalich, accompanied by rescue engineers, unveiled the capsule. It was painted in the red, white and blue colors of the Chilean flag.

Relatives of the trapped miners saw the capsule for the first time and began applauding.

Golborne said the capsule weighed 420 kilograms (924 pounds) and its interior height was six feet, four inches (1.9 meters).



Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/09/25/chile.miners/index.html?hpt=T2

---

Financial News USA
Sep 25
Rescue capsule arriving ahead of schedule at Chilean mine

~snip~
At an early afternoon press conference near the entrance to the San Jose mine Chilean Health Minister Jaime Manalich outlined plans for the final phase of the rescue.

He said two rescuers -- a rescue expert and a highly skilled paramedic -- would make the first journey in the Phoenix Capsule and drop the 700 meters into the mine.

They would carry out a medical check of the miners and decide the order in which they would be extracted based on their physical and mental conditions. He said the ride from the cavern where the miners have been holed up since August 5 back to the surface would take an estimated 15 minutes.

Manalich said there was no plan to sedate any of the miners for the journey.

"Compared to the 50 days the miners have so far spent down there, the 15-minute ride back will be like nothing," he said

More:
http://www.financialnewsusa.com/more/52-world/17858-rescue-capsule-arriving-ahead-of-schedule-at-chilean-mine

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Really good news.

I am happy to read it...

Recommended.

[stevedeshazer]

2. Good news!

+1

[kayakjohnny]

3. This is a huge bright spot on my day.

The way they are handling this whole situation should be a model for other countries.

They are dignified, they are forthright.

They are innovative.

And they are driven to get these guys out.

I really admire the way this has been dealt with.

Thanks for the post.

[glitch]

6. Completely agreed. nt

[Robb]

4. Thanks for the update.

This has been the best story in a long, long time.

[xxqqqzme]

5. ..."He (Manalich) added the miners could face

a drop in blood pressure as they are brought back to the surface and concluded by saying they would be monitored for months for possible signs of post-traumatic stress..."

Now that's health care!

[Judi Lynn]

7. Rescue cage arrives at Chile mine

Rescue cage arrives at Chile mine
By AFPPublished Sunday, September 26, 2010

A special steel cage designed and made by the Chilean Navy to help rescue 33 men trapped for a record seven weeks underground arrived Saturday at the San Jose mine to applause and cheers from miners' loved ones.

"I'm happy because we've been waiting for this for 50 days," the wife of one of the trapped miners, Elizabeth Segovia, told AFP as the truck bearing the cage rolled into the compound under police escort.

Despite the long wait until rescuers can begin pulling the men, one by one, from their shelter 700 meter (2,300 foot) below, by early November at the soonest, the cage buoyed hopes in the makeshift campsite that sprung up after the August 5 cave-in.

"Chi, Chi, Chi, le, le, le. Viva Chile!" shouted everybody as the truck came to a halt.
Measuring 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) and weighing 250 kilograms (550 pounds), the cage is the first of three that will be used to hoist the men up through a 60-70 centimeter (24-28 inch) -wide shaft.

An Austrian-made hoisting system of pulleys and cranes will bring the cage slowly up the rescue shaft.

Engineers said each trip will take from one to one-and-a-half hours, with the entire rescue lasting more than 24 hours.

More:
http://www.emirates247.com/news/world/rescue-cage-arrives-at-chile-mine-2010-09-26-1.295223

~~~~~
25 September 2010 Last updated at 22:03 ET
Chile miners: Family joy as rescue capsule arrives

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk.nyud.net:8090/media/images/49248000/jpg/_49248921_carolinalobosafp.jpg

Carolina Lobos' heart was racing when she stepped
into the cage she hopes will pull her father to safety


A cage specially built to help rescue 33 men trapped underground in a mine in Chile has arrived at the mine head.

The steel capsule will be used to pull the men to safety one by one, once a rescue shaft wide enough to haul them up has been drilled.

Relatives of the miners were allowed to get into the narrow cage, which is little more than 50cm (20in) wide.

It is expected to take between 20-30 minutes to pull each miner up from their shelter at a depth of 700m.

More:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11412845

[Dappleganger]

9. What a great picture!

I hope they also send a dose of xanax for each of them because if that gets stuck...well let's not try to think about it, right?

[Vehl]

8. good news!

Finally the saga of these trapped miners nears its end

[riderinthestorm]

10. I'm not sure why but this story has really grabbed me. I am so glad to hear this news

I can't imagine how overjoyed the families (and the men) must be to hear this. From start to finish the Chilean government has handled this beautifully.