Second bore hole for communications reaches 33 trapped miners

Unsafe working conditions lead to another incident of trapped miners. What a surprise. NOT!

Second bore hole for communications reaches 33 trapped miners

The men already have been trapped underground longer than all but a few miners rescued in recent history. Last year, three miners survived 25 days trapped in a flooded mine in southern China, and two miners in northeastern China were rescued after 23 days in 1983. Few other rescues have taken more than two weeks.

Chile is the world's top copper producer and a leading gold producer, and has some of the world's most advanced mining operations. But both the company that owns the mine, San Esteban, and the National Mining and Geology Service have been criticized for allegedly failing to comply with regulations. In 2007, an explosion at the San Jose mine killed three workers.

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera said Monday that "there is not going to be any impunity" and said investigations were under way.

Shortly after the accident, Pinera fired two top executives of Sernageomin, Chile's mine safety regulator, after reports that the mine had reopened too soon and without real security improvements after a fatal accident three years ago.

The miners' relatives are suing and claim their loved ones were put at risk working in a mine known for unstable shafts and rock falls. Company executives have denied the accusations and say the lawsuits could force them into bankruptcy.

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/chile/article/851993--second-bore-hole...