Good news and bad news for the 33 trapped Chilean miners.

[markw]

First, the good news:

'SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Rescuers achieved a key breakthrough in efforts to rescue 33 trapped miners on Friday, reaching the caverns where they are imprisoned with a bore hole that will now be widened so that they can be pulled to freedom.

The breakthrough means the rescue could come a little sooner than previously expected, Mining Minister Laurence Golborne said. The government had said previously that if all went as planned, the miners could be pulled out in early November.

"We're going a bit better than what we had expected," Golborne said. "The timeline we have presented takes into consideration contingencies, that always present themselves in these circumstances, and they have been fewer than expected. At this point we're a little bit ahead."'

Now, the bad news :

'The San Esteban mining company, which owns the mine, has pursued bankruptcy protection since the collapse and has said it can't afford to pay the men trapped in the San Jose mine.'

Wotta bunch of stand-up guys, eh? Can you tell this isn't the US of A?

The full story here

 

[ratm]

True it's nit the US of A but Chile is one of the most modern, prosperous country's in SA. I'd be shocked if the gov't dosent take care ofnthese guys somehow.

 

[caupina]

I don't think the Chilean government is going to get involved directly. They might try to pursue some legal actions against this mining company, but as far as taking care of the trapped miners payroll, I don't think they want to go there as it'd open a Pandora box. I'm glad the government has shown some strong leadership though. By the way as a side note, today's is Chile's independence bicentennial...I can't believe I missed such a huge celebration being away from home....Viva Chile!!!!!!

 

[lsiberian]

I think being alive is reward enough, and I'm sure these guys will be taken care of. People down there are more community oriented so I'm sure they will have some warm cooked meals.

 

[markw]

I don't think the Chilean government is going to get involved directly. They might try to pursue some legal actions against this mining company, but as far as taking care of the trapped miners payroll, I don't think they want to go there as it'd open a Pandora box. I'm glad the government has shown some strong leadership though. By the way as a side note, today's is Chile's independence bicentennial...I can't believe I missed such a huge celebration being away from home....Viva Chile!!!!!!

Happy Bicentennial! 200 years is a hard one to attain.

 

[sawzalot]

Happy Bicentennial! 200 years is a hard one to attain.

The first 200 are the toughest

 

[Shock]

The first 200 are the toughest

That's what she said.

 

[NicolasKL]

We were talking about this at work (I work at a mine) and as long as I was getting paid and they could lower me down an extension cord for my laptop and a copy of Civilization 5 when it comes out, I wouldn't mind being trapped for a month or two.

 

[caupina]

The Phoenix has landed!!!!!

I don't want to sound corny, but I just couldn't help it, tears rolled down my face when I saw the Phoenix capsule made it to the mine and the rescuer walked out and greeted everybody, it made me so proud of my fellow chileans....thanks to all the friendly helping hands that cooperated to make this rescue operation possible. It feels good when we all come together to help each other

 

[its phillip]

That's great news

 

[caupina]

First miner out, 32 to go!!!!!!!

 

[Chu Gai]

Wasn't there one guy who was trapped that had both his wife and girlfriend show up?

 

[Alex2507]

Wasn't there one guy who was trapped that had both his wife and girlfriend show up?

He'll be the last one out. He's still working on his story.

 

[caupina]

Wasn't there one guy who was trapped that had both his wife and girlfriend show up?

Yeah, he's gonna be last one out for sure....he had 68 days to come up with a good explanation, I hope it's a good one or he'll wish he had remained in the mine