Chile miners rescue effort gains ground, Gov't optimistic to beat the timeframe

On the other hand, President Sebastian Pinera, who directed hundreds of rescuers to work simultaneous drilling operation on three sites, promised the trapped miners that they would be rescued before Christmastime. According to reports, Pres. Pinera has staked his presidency on the line so as to prove to the world that his government is capable of rescuing the miners. He also promised that he would be when they will be pulled out to the surface. In an interview, he further underscored his optimism by saying that the timeframe of the final rescue of the miners will be sooner than expected.

But the work involved suggests a much faster move. It was reported that the biggest drill tagged as "Plan C" is capable of a greater drilling speed and the rescue engineers are on to it in a much calculated pace. Using a much effective measure to prevent unforeseen complications on the drilling operation, the rescue team is expecting that they can get through up to the miners location about 2,000 feet (597 mts.) below by the second week of October. It would then take at least 8 days to get the iron sleeve inserted to the 28 inches wide chute purposely to contain the rocks from falling while taking out the miners.

On the progress of the rescue effort, Sougarret explained that the rescue capsule should be ready within 10-12 days after its design is approved within this week. The capsule was named after the mythical bird, Phoenix, which according to stories was burned to ashes, but resurrected to live hundreds of years more.

Just recently, the rescue engineers were looking at the prototypes of the conceptualized capsules at ASMAR, a navy shipbuilding station in Talcahuano, where the three back-up capsules will be built. These are reserved capsules in case anything goes wrong, Sougarret said.

It was also disclosed that the capsules will be equipped with 3-hour oxygen tanks, with mounted wheels  on shock absorbers to keep it touching with the pipe walls, internal harness to keep the miners safe from injury, and wireless system of communication to keep the miners naturally in touch during their 15-20 minutes journey towards the surface. It will be fitted through a chute (23 inches in diameter) and provides enough space for the biggest miner whose shoulders is about 19 inches across, a critical dimension for the capsule's design, Sougarret explained.

ASMAR designed the walls of a cylinder to be 0.16 inch thick, with a hatch for escape and inside tackle system that will provide an occupant a safer chance to back down in case the capsule stucked up. 

Moreover, Mining Minister Laurence Golborne twitted that the technical team has already been gone to ASMAR to finally evaluate the designed rescue capsule baptized as "Phoenix" and it will be sooner that its final output is going to be decided.

It was also disclosed that the capsule designers were assisted by U.S. engineers who were involved during the 2002 Quecreek coal mine incident in Pennsylvania.