Narrow Drill Shaft Reaches Trapped Chile Miners

Raises hopes of early release; it still must be widened
By Steve Vivian,  Newser User
Posted Sep 18, 2010 9:22 AM CDT Posted Sep 18, 2010 9:22 AM CDT
Promoted on Newser Sep 18, 2010 12:33 PM CDT
12 in 'Plan B' Shaft Reaches Trapped Chile Miners
In this TV grab taken from a video released on Sept. 8, a trapped miner gestures to the camera at the San Jose Mine in Copiapo.   (AP)

Results produced by a unique drill bit made by a company based in Berlin, Pa., have raised hopes that the 33 miners trapped since August 5 in the San Jose Mine in Chile may be rescued sooner than originally anticipated. The bit, employed as part of an initiative labeled Plan B, was used to successfully complete a 2,100-foot-long 12-inch shaft. The hole now needs to be expanded to 28 inches. While no easy task, and at depths greater than this technology has been used before, rescuers are optimistic. Read the full article at the Wall Street Journal. (Earlier coverage here.)

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