October 10th, 2010
11:40 AM ET

Final step begins to free Chilean miners

Workers reinforce the exit shaft through which the miners will be lifted out from underground.

Steel tubing has begun to be placed to reinforce the path that connects the 33 miners trapped in Chile to the surface, the final step before the extraction of the miners can begin, Mining Minister Laurence Golborne said Sunday. 

If all goes according to plan, the first of the miners could be pulled from the mine by Wednesday, he said. But the health and safety of the miners remained the top priority. The miners, who have been trapped since August 5, are in "very good" health, according to Chile's Health Minister Jaime Manalich.

See CNN.com's extensive interactive for background on the accident and the people who are trapped. FULL STORY

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Filed under: Chile
soundoff (11 Responses)
  1. okay

    WHO CARES ?

    October 10, 2010 at 2:21 pm | Report abuse |
    • AAS

      I care!!! I have been checking on these events every single day since this happened, and been hoping for them, and I have no end of respect for all and I will breathe a huge sigh of relief when the last is above ground, healthy and sound, and happy.

      October 10, 2010 at 8:47 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Marines123

    Medivac flight not good idea! Beneath the earth now flying. Two dangerous to fast. They should be triaged in the field first. Rehydrated and given the oportunity to equiliberate their bodys?

    October 10, 2010 at 2:23 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Marines123

    Let them get a piece of Ass before flying to hospital.

    October 10, 2010 at 2:24 pm | Report abuse |
  4. okay

    It's a hazard of the job they signed up for..now they are special ? This is another example of the media overplaying an insignificent event ! Fill the hole with cement and leave them down there..now that would be news !

    October 10, 2010 at 2:24 pm | Report abuse |
    • Jay M. Giuffrida

      Shame on you for writing that. It is amazing that Chile has the technology to do everything that they did. Yes, three americans built and designed that great craft but it is new and it is good news. How dare you imply that if they died it would have been better news. Jay

      October 14, 2010 at 11:30 am | Report abuse |
  5. okay

    Once again..the U.S.to the rescue !

    October 10, 2010 at 2:26 pm | Report abuse |
  6. lance

    we all hope they get out soon. besides helping to build a legal case for them, what is the reason for the extensive coverage?

    October 10, 2010 at 5:43 pm | Report abuse |
  7. okay

    Im happy for you AAS

    October 11, 2010 at 1:03 am | Report abuse |
  8. Marines123

    I don't know about you guys, but being underground for so long would make me crazy!

    October 11, 2010 at 1:56 am | Report abuse |
  9. okay

    AAS has been officially elected for the Nobel humanitarian award..keep up the great work ! We're all so proud of you !

    October 11, 2010 at 10:13 am | Report abuse |
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