2010 Copiapó mining accident facts for kids
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| Date |
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|---|---|
| Time | 14:05 CLT (UTC−04:00) |
| Location | San José mine, near Copiapó, Atacama Region, Chile |
| Coordinates | 27°09′31″S 70°29′52″W / 27.158609°S 70.497655°W |
| Outcome | All 33 trapped miners rescued |
| Property damage | Total closure and loss as of August 2010[update] |
| Litigation | US$1.8 million lawsuit as of August 2010[update] |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The 2010 Copiapó mining accident was an incredible event that captured the world's attention. It began on August 5, 2010, when a part of the San José copper-gold mine collapsed. This mine was located in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, about 45 kilometers (28 miles) north of Copiapó. Thirty-three brave men became trapped 700 meters (2,300 feet) underground, about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the mine's entrance.
Chile is a leading producer of copper, but its mines had faced safety challenges. The San José mine, owned by the San Esteban Mining Company, had received warnings about safety. These warnings were not always followed, which unfortunately played a part in the collapse and the difficult rescue that followed.
The collapse happened around 2:00 PM on August 5, 2010. One miner managed to escape, but 33 others were trapped. They had to retreat to an emergency shelter because a safety ladder, which should have been there, was missing. After the government's mining company, Codelco, took over the rescue efforts, special drills were used to search for the miners. Seventeen days after the accident, an amazing discovery was made: a note taped to a drill bit that read, "Estamos bien en el Refugio los 33" ("We are well in the Refuge - the 33").
The rescue became a huge international effort. Teams from different countries, including the United States space agency NASA, worked together. On October 13, 2010, the miners were brought to the surface one by one in a special capsule. Millions of people around the world watched this live. Most of the miners were in good health, and doctors expected them to recover well. The rescue cost about US$20 million, with money coming from private donations, the mine owners, and the Chilean government.
Contents
The Amazing Chilean Mine Rescue
What Happened at the San José Mine?
The Mine's History
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Chile has a long history of mining and is the world's top producer of copper. However, mining can be dangerous. In the years leading up to 2010, there were many accidents in Chilean mines where workers lost their lives.
The San José mine was owned by the San Esteban Mining Company. This company had been warned many times about not following safety rules. Between 1998 and 2010, several workers had died at the San José site. The mine was even closed temporarily in 2007 after a fatal accident, but it reopened in 2008 even though it still had safety problems. There were not enough inspectors to check all the mines in the area.
Before the accident, the company had ignored warnings from its workers about unsafe conditions. Miners had said there was danger, but they felt nobody listened. This made the situation even more difficult when the collapse happened.
Miners in Chile often earn good wages. While large mines usually have high safety standards, smaller mines like San José sometimes have lower ones. The San José mine actually paid higher wages than other mines, perhaps because of its known safety issues.
The Collapse
The mine collapse happened at 2:00 PM on August 5, 2010. The miners reached the deep parts of the mine by driving down a long, winding road.
One truck driver managed to escape, but 33 men were trapped far inside. A huge cloud of dust from the falling rocks blinded the miners for several hours.
At first, the trapped miners tried to escape through ventilation shafts. But they found that the safety ladders, which should have been there, were missing. Luis Urzúa, the shift supervisor, quickly gathered his men in a safe room called a "refuge." He helped them organize their limited supplies and sent teams to explore the nearby tunnels.
Finding the Miners
Rescuers tried to reach the trapped miners through other passages, but these routes were blocked by fallen rocks or were too dangerous. After another collapse on August 7, rescuers had to use heavy machinery. They worried that more attempts through existing tunnels could cause more rockfalls. So, they looked for other ways to find the men.
Chile's President, Sebastián Piñera, quickly returned from a trip to Colombia to visit the mine. He wanted to show support for the rescue efforts.
Teams began drilling narrow holes, about 16 centimeters (6 inches) wide, to try and locate the miners. Old maps of the mine made this search difficult. On August 19, one drill reached an area where the miners might be, but found no signs of life.
Then, on August 22, the eighth drill broke through at a depth of 688 meters (2,257 feet). It reached a ramp near the shelter where the miners were hiding. For days, the miners had heard the drills getting closer. They prepared notes and attached them to the drill bit with tape when it finally poked into their space. They also tapped on the drill to signal they were alive. When the drill was pulled back up, a note was attached: "Estamos bien en el Refugio los 33" (English: "We are well in the Refuge - the 33"). These words became a symbol of their survival and the rescue effort.
Hours later, video cameras sent down the narrow hole showed the first blurry, black-and-white images of the miners.
How the Miners Survived Underground
The miners' emergency shelter was about 50 square meters (540 square feet) and had two long benches. However, because of poor air circulation, they moved into a nearby tunnel. They also had access to about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) of open tunnels, which allowed them to move around and get some exercise or privacy.
Food supplies were very limited. Each man lost about 8 kilograms (18 pounds) by the time they were found. The emergency supplies in the shelter were only meant to last for two or three days. But by carefully rationing, the men made these meager resources last for two weeks, running out just before they were discovered.
Miner Mario Sepúlveda later explained that all 33 miners worked together. They used a "one-man, one-vote" system to make decisions. They helped each other maintain the mine, look for escape routes, and keep their spirits up. They knew that if they didn't work as a team, they wouldn't survive. The older miners often supported the younger ones.
Videos Sent to the Surface
Soon after they were found, 28 of the 33 miners appeared in a 40-minute video. This video was recorded using a small camera sent down by the government in blue plastic capsules called palomas ("doves"). The footage showed most of the men in good spirits and looking reasonably healthy, even though they had all lost weight.
The men often appeared without shirts and had beards. They were covered in sweat because of the high heat and humidity deep inside the mine. Some looked very thin. Mario Sepúlveda, who hosted the video, kept a positive attitude. He said things were looking brighter for them. The video generally showed a hopeful atmosphere despite their difficult situation.
Leadership Underground
Foreman Luis Urzúa was praised for his calm leadership and gentle humor. He helped keep the miners focused on survival during their 70 days underground. In his first audio contact with the surface, Urzúa even joked, "it's been a bit of a long shift." He downplayed their hunger and despair, simply saying, "We're fine, waiting for you to rescue us."
Urzúa believed that making decisions together helped the men stay united and focused on their goal. He said, "You just have to speak the truth and believe in democracy." Everything was voted on, and a majority decision was always followed.
After the collapse, Urzúa sent men to explore and see if escape was possible. When they couldn't find a way out, he focused on managing their food. Urzúa helped the men accept their situation and concentrate on the important tasks needed to survive.
Key Members of the Trapped Group
- Luis Urzúa (54), the shift foreman, quickly understood how serious the situation was. He gathered the men in the refuge and organized their limited supplies. He made detailed maps to help the rescue team and worked closely with engineers on the surface.
- Florencio Ávalos (31), the second in command, helped Urzúa organize the men. Because he was strong and calm, he was chosen to be the first miner rescued in the special capsule. He also filmed videos to send to the miners' families.
- Yonni Barrios (50), became the group's medic. He had some medical training from caring for his elderly mother. He monitored everyone's health and sent detailed reports to doctors on the surface. His friends jokingly called him "Dr. House."
- Mario Gómez (63), the oldest miner, became the religious leader. He organized a small chapel with statues of saints and helped with counseling from psychologists on the surface.
- José Henríquez (54), a preacher and experienced miner, served as the miners' pastor and led daily prayers.
- Mario Sepúlveda (40), was the energetic host of the miners' video messages. He reassured the world that they were doing well. Local media called him "Super Mario" because of his energy and humor.
- Ariel Ticona (29), was the group's communications expert. He set up and maintained the telephone and video systems that were sent down into the mine.
Staying Healthy Underground
On August 23, the first voice contact was made with the miners. Doctors immediately sent down a special liquid diet and medicine to prevent stomach problems. Supplies were sent in the palomas (capsules), which took about an hour to reach the miners. Solid food began to arrive a few days later. Families were allowed to write letters, but they were asked to keep their messages positive.
Rescuers were careful about telling the miners how long the rescue might take. They didn't want to discourage them by saying it could be months. However, on August 25, the miners were fully informed about the rescue timeline. They handled the news very well.
The miners were described as a very disciplined group. Psychologists and doctors worked with the rescue teams to keep the miners busy and mentally strong. The miners also helped with the rescue, showing they could contribute from below. Psychologists believed it was important for the miners to feel they had a role in their own rescue.
Keeping clean was important in the hot, humid mine. The miners set up a bathroom area, a garbage area, and even recycled. They used a natural waterfall for showers and received soap and shampoo. Dirty laundry was sent to the surface. They also found several fresh water sources and received water purification tablets.
Safety was a big concern. Jimmy Sánchez, the youngest miner at 19, was the "environmental assistant." He checked the air quality daily, measuring oxygen, carbon dioxide, and temperature, which was usually around 31 °C (88 °F). Teams of miners also looked for loose rocks and worked to redirect water from the drilling.
Chilean Health Minister Jaime Mañalich compared the situation to astronauts living on the International Space Station. On August 31, a team from NASA arrived to help, including doctors, a psychologist, and an engineer.
After the rescue, experts noted that the miners' strong minds and teamwork helped them survive. They organized themselves naturally in response to the danger.
Camp Hope: Families Waiting
Campamento Esperanza (Camp Hope) was a tent city that grew in the desert near the mine. At first, families gathered at the mine entrance, sleeping in cars and praying for news. As days turned into weeks, friends brought tents and supplies to protect them from the harsh desert weather. The camp grew with more families, rescue workers, and media. Government ministers regularly updated the families and journalists. María Segovia, whose brother was trapped, said, "We're not going to abandon this camp until we go out with the last miner left."
Many families at Camp Hope were deeply religious. They prayed constantly for the men. They set up memorials, lit candles, and placed 32 Chilean flags and one Bolivian flag (for the Bolivian miner) on a nearby hill. Small shrines with pictures of the miners and religious statues appeared among the tents.
María Segovia, the sister of miner Darío Segovia, became known as La Alcaldesa (the Mayoress) because of her organizational skills and strong voice. As the families became more organized, the government provided comforts like a private area away from the press, a kitchen, dining area, bathrooms, and security. Bulletin boards, shuttle bus stops, a school, and play zones for children were added. Volunteers helped feed the families, clowns entertained the children, and organizations offered emotional and spiritual support. Police and soldiers helped keep order. Camp Hope slowly became like a small city.
The Big Rescue Plan
Exploratory boreholes were first used to find the miners and then to send them supplies. The Chilean government created a detailed rescue plan, learning from past mine rescues in the US and Germany. Rescue teams planned to use three different drilling methods to create holes wide enough to bring the miners up in special capsules. Henry Laas, from one of the rescue companies, warned that the mine was old and there was a risk of more collapses. This meant the rescue plan had to be very carefully designed.
Drilling Plans
Three large escape holes were drilled at the same time using different equipment from various international companies. When the first (and only) escape shaft reached the miners, these were the three plans:
- Plan A, using a Strata 950 drill, aimed for a depth of 702 meters (2,303 feet).
- Plan B, using a Schramm T130XD drill, aimed for a depth of 638 meters (2,093 feet) and was the first to reach the miners.
- Plan C, using a RIG-421 drill, aimed for a depth of 597 meters (1,959 feet).
Plan A
Plan A used a large raise borer drill from Australia. This drill creates circular shafts without using explosives. It was brought from another mine in Chile. Because it weighed 31 metric tons (34 short tons), it had to be transported in many pieces by trucks. The Strata 950 was the first drill to start boring an escape shaft.
Plan B
This drill team was the first to reach the trapped miners with an escape shaft. Plan B used a Schramm T130XD drill, which was chosen to widen one of the narrow 14-centimeter (5.5-inch) holes already used to send supplies. This drill system involved Chilean and American teams and special drilling tools. The drill could work quickly, drilling over 40 meters (130 feet) a day.
The Schramm T-130 aimed for a workshop area accessible to the miners. It worked in three steps: first, it enlarged the 14-centimeter hole to 30 centimeters (12 inches), then to 71 centimeters (28 inches). Drilling directly to the largest size would have put too much pressure on the drill. There were some delays because of the angle of the drilling and the very hard rock. Rescuers couldn't drill straight down because the ground above was unstable.
Plan C
Plan C used a Canadian-made RIG-421 oil drilling rig. This was the last drill added to the rescue process, starting on September 19. This rig, normally used for oil and gas wells, could drill a wide escape shaft in one go. It was a very tall machine, needing 40 truckloads to bring its parts to the mine. This plan faced challenges because it was hard to aim such a large drill at a small target. The hard rock also caused the drill bit to go off course, slowing progress.
Drilling Results
At 8:05 AM on October 9, 2010, Plan B's Schramm T130XD drill was the first to reach the trapped miners! By this time, Plan A had reached 598 meters (1,962 feet) of its 702-meter goal, and Plan C had reached 372 meters (1,220 feet) of its 597-meter goal.
The rescue was a true international effort, involving technology, cooperation, and resources from many countries. NASA specialists helped create a health plan for the miners. While many countries helped, the overall effort was led by Chile. As one NASA expert said, "The Chileans are basically writing the book."
The Fénix Rescue Capsule
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While the drilling was happening, technicians built the special rescue capsules. These capsules, named Fénix (meaning Phoenix), were made by a Chilean shipbuilding company with help from NASA. They created three capsules: Fénix 1, 2, and 3. These were improved versions of older mine rescue capsules. Fénix 1 was shown to journalists and families for their feedback.
The capsule used for the rescue was Fénix 2. It was 54 centimeters (21 inches) in diameter, just narrow enough to fit in the tunnel. It had wheels that could retract for a smoother ride, an oxygen supply, lights, video and voice communication, a strong roof to protect against falling rocks, and an escape hatch in case it got stuck.
Getting Ready for the Rescue
Even after the drilling finished on October 9, 2010, the rescue operation couldn't start immediately. Laurence Golborne, Chile's Minister of Mining, announced that complex preparations were needed. This included checking the borehole to see how much of it needed to be lined with steel pipes to prevent rockfalls. Installing these pipes could take up to 96 hours. Then, a large concrete platform had to be built for the machine that would raise and lower the capsule. Finally, the capsule and lifting system needed thorough testing.
Minister Golborne expected only the first 100 to 200 meters (330 to 660 feet) of the shaft to need lining, which would take about 10 hours. In the end, only the first 56 meters (184 feet) were lined. Assembling the lifting system took another 48 hours.
Just before the rescue began, Golborne estimated it would take about an hour to bring each miner to the surface. He thought the entire lifting process would take up to 48 hours.
The Rescue Operation Begins!
The rescue of the miners began on Tuesday, October 12, at 7:00 PM CLT. It was called Operación San Lorenzo (Operation St. Lawrence), named after the patron saint of miners. There was a three-hour delay for final safety checks. At 11:18 PM CLT, the first rescuer, Manuel González, an experienced expert from Codelco, was lowered into the mine. During his 18-minute descent, the waiting families and rescue team sang Chile's national anthem. González reached the trapped miners at 11:36 PM.
The Miners Come Home
Chilean officials tried to make the rescue seem as safe as possible. However, the miners still needed to be alert during their trip to the surface. The rescue plan called for the first four men to be the strongest and healthiest. They could then tell the rescue team about the conditions inside the shaft and report on the other miners. After these four, the remaining miners were rescued based on their health, with those needing more medical attention coming up first.
The Rescue Procedure
Six hours before their rescue, each miner switched to a special liquid diet. They took an aspirin to help prevent blood clots and wore a special belt to help with blood pressure changes. They also received special suits to protect them from moisture and sunglasses to shield their eyes from the sudden bright sunlight. The capsule had oxygen masks, heart monitors, and video cameras.
Once a miner was secured in the 21-inch (54-centimeter) wide capsule, it slowly ascended at about 1 meter (3 feet) per second. The trip to the surface took between 9 and 18 minutes. President Piñera was there to greet each miner as they arrived during the 24-hour rescue.
After a quick check to make sure they were alert, each miner was taken by stretcher to a field hospital for an initial evaluation. None needed immediate emergency treatment. Later, they were flown by helicopter to Copiapó Hospital, about 60 kilometers (37 miles) away, for 24 to 48 hours of observation.
The Final Moments of Rescue
The original plan was for two rescuers to go down before the first miner came up. But to save time, they decided to bring a miner up in the capsule that had taken González down. A trial run had happened the day before, with the capsule stopping just 15 meters (49 feet) from the top.
Fifteen minutes later, after another safety check, miner Florencio Ávalos began his ascent. TV cameras inside the mine and on the surface broadcast the event worldwide. Luis Urzúa, the foreman, was the very last miner to come up.
Each trip of the capsule, up or down, was expected to take 15 minutes, meaning the whole rescue would take about 33 hours. However, after the first few trips, it became clear that each rescue cycle would be faster, taking less than an hour. As the eighteenth miner reached the surface, Minister Golborne said they were ahead of schedule and might finish the operation before that night.
After stepping out and greeting his son, Urzúa hugged President Piñera. He said, "I've delivered to you this shift of workers, as we agreed I would." The President replied, "I gladly receive your shift, because you completed your duty, leaving last like a good captain." Piñera added, "You are not the same after this, and Chile won't be the same either."
A large Chilean flag that had hung in the mine chamber during the rescue was brought up by Luis Urzúa. Once all the miners were out, the rescuers in the mine displayed a banner that read "Misión cumplida Chile" ("Mission accomplished Chile"). Manuel González, the first rescuer down, was also the last one up, spending over 25 hours in the mine. Rescuers who needed to rest did so underground to avoid delaying the capsule. When the last rescuer surfaced, President Piñera placed a metal lid over the rescue shaft. In total, Fénix 2 made 39 round trips, traveling about 50 kilometers (31 miles).
Order of Miners and Rescuers
Before the rescue, the miners were divided into three groups to decide their exit order: "hábiles" (skilled), "débiles" (weak), and "fuertes" (strong). The idea was that the most skilled and physically fit should go first. They would be better able to handle any problems with the capsule or shaft and could clearly report conditions to the surface team. The second group included miners with medical or emotional needs. The final group was made up of the most mentally strong, who could handle the long wait. Minister Mañalich said they "don't care to stay another 24 hours inside the mine."
The order of rescue was:
| Rescued miners | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order | Name | Age | Time (CLDT) | Cycle time | Comments | |
| 1 | Florencio Ávalos | 31 | 13 October 00:11 | 0:51 | He recorded video messages for families on the surface. | |
| 2 | Mario Sepúlveda | 40 | 13 October 01:10 | 1:00 | An electrical specialist known as "the presenter" for his role in the miners' videos. | |
| 3 | Juan Andrés Illanes | 52 | 13 October 02:07 | 0:57 | A former soldier. | |
| 4 | Carlos Mamani | 24 | 13 October 03:11 | 1:04 | The only Bolivian miner, he had moved to Chile ten years earlier. | |
| 5 | Jimmy Sánchez | 19 | 13 October 04:11 | 1:00 | The youngest miner, he was responsible for checking air quality. He had only been a miner for five months. | |
| 6 | Osmán Araya | 30 | 13 October 05:35 | 1:24 | He sent a video message to his wife and baby daughter, promising to fight to be with them. | |
| 7 | José Ojeda | 46 | 13 October 06:22 | 0:47 | He wrote the famous note "Estamos bien en el Refugio, los 33" ("We are well in the Refuge - the 33"). He had some health issues. | |
| 8 | Claudio Yáñez | 34 | 13 October 07:04 | 0:42 | A drill operator. His longtime partner accepted his marriage proposal while he was underground. | |
| 9 | Mario Gómez | 63* | 13 October 08:00 | 0:56 | The eldest miner, he had been thinking of retiring soon. (Note: *His age was reported between 60 and 65.) He passed away on September 21, 2024, at age 74. | |
| 10 | Álex Vega | 31 | 13 October 08:53 | 0:53 | He had worked in the mine for nine years and had some health concerns. | |
| 11 | Jorge Galleguillos | 56 | 13 October 09:31 | 0:38 | He had high blood pressure. | |
| 12 | Edison Peña | 34 | 13 October 10:13 | 0:42 | The group's song leader, he asked for Elvis Presley songs to be sent down. He was very fit and ran daily underground. He later ran in marathons. | |
| 13 | Carlos Barrios | 27 | 13 October 10:55 | 0:42 | A part-time miner who also drove a taxi. | |
| 14 | Víctor Zamora | 33 | 13 October 11:32 | 0:37 | A mechanic who was only in the mine to fix a vehicle on the day of the collapse. | |
| 15 | Víctor Segovia | 48 | 13 October 12:08 | 0:36 | An electrician and father of four. | |
| 16 | Daniel Herrera | 27 | 13 October 12:50 | 0:42 | A truck driver who became a medical assistant in the mine. | |
| 17 | Omar Reygadas | 56 | 13 October 13:39 | 0:49 | A bulldozer operator whose children kept a diary of their life above ground. | |
| 18 | Esteban Rojas | 44 | 13 October 14:49 | 1:10 | He promised his partner he would marry her in a church as soon as he was out. | |
| 19 | Pablo Rojas | 45 | 13 October 15:28 | 0:39 | He had worked in the mine for less than six months. His brother Esteban was also trapped. | |
| 20 | Darío Segovia | 48 | 13 October 15:59 | 0:31 | A drill operator, whose father had also been trapped underground for a week once. His sister María led prayers at Camp Hope. | |
| 21 | Yonni Barrios | 50 | 13 October 16:31 | 0:32 | He served as the group's medic and managed their medical care. | |
| 22 | Samuel Ávalos | 43 | 13 October 17:04 | 0:33 | A father of three who had worked in the mine for five months. | |
| 23 | Carlos Bugueño | 27 | 13 October 17:33 | 0:29 | Friends with fellow trapped miner Pedro Cortez. | |
| 24 | José Henríquez | 54 | 13 October 17:59 | 0:26 | A preacher and experienced miner who organized daily prayers. | |
| 25 | Renán Ávalos | 29 | 13 October 18:24 | 0:25 | Trapped with his older brother Florencio. | |
| 26 | Claudio Acuña | 44 | 13 October 18:51 | 0:27 | He celebrated his birthday in the mine on September 9. | |
| 27 | Franklin Lobos | 53 | 13 October 19:18 | 0:27 | A former football player. | |
| 28 | Richard Villarroel | 27 | 13 October 19:45 | 0:27 | A mechanic who had worked in the mine for two years. | |
| 29 | Juan Carlos Aguilar | 49 | 13 October 20:13 | 0:28 | A married father of one. | |
| 30 | Raúl Bustos | 40 | 13 October 20:37 | 0:24 | A hydraulics engineer who had moved north for work. | |
| 31 | Pedro Cortez | 26 | 13 October 21:02 | 0:25 | He and his friend Carlos Bugueno started work at the mine at the same time. | |
| 32 | Ariel Ticona | 29 | 13 October 21:30 | 0:28 | The group's communications specialist. His wife gave birth to a daughter on September 14, and he watched it on video. He named his daughter Esperanza, meaning "Hope." | |
| 33 | Luis Urzúa | 54 | 13 October 21:55 | 0:25 | The shift foreman, known as Don Lucho, who led the miners and made maps for the rescue crews. | |
| Rescue workers who descended | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order descended | Rescue worker | Affiliation | Descent time (CLDT) | Extraction time (CLDT) | Time spent inside mine | Cycle time | Down trip no. |
| 1. | Manuel González | El Teniente Mine | 12 October 23:18 | 14 October 00:32 | 25:14 | 0:27 | 1 |
| 2. | Roberto Ríos, Sgt | Chilean Marine Corps | 13 October 00:16 | 14 October 00:05 | 23:49 | 0:23 | 2 |
| 3. | Patricio Robledo, Cpl | Chilean Marine Corps | 13 October 01:18 | 13 October 23:42 | 22:24 | 0:25 | 3 |
| 4. | Jorge Bustamante | El Teniente Mine | 13 October 10:22 | 13 October 23:17 | 12:55 | 0:24 | 13 |
| 5. | Patricio Sepúlveda, Cpl | GOPE (national police medic) | 13 October 12:14 | 13 October 22:53 | 10:39 | 0:23 | 16 |
| 6. | Pedro Rivero | Carola Mine | 13 October 19:23 | 13 October 22:30 | 3:07 | 0:35 | 28 |
Notes:
- The extraction times for the rescuers are correct but may be out of order and not listed next to the actual corresponding rescue worker.
- "Down trip no." is the sequence number of the capsule journey that he was sent down on.
Timeline of Events
Here is a timeline of the main events:
- 5 August 2010: A rockfall at the San José mine traps 33 miners 700 meters (2,296 ft) underground.
- 7 August 2010: A second collapse makes rescue harder. Rescuers start drilling narrow holes to listen for signs of life.
- 22 August 2010: 17 days after the first collapse, a note is found on a drill bit: "Estamos bien en el Refugio, los 33" ("We are well in the Refuge - the 33"). Food, medicine, and clothes begin to be sent down.
- 27 August 2010: The miners send their first video greetings to the surface.
- 30 August 2010: Plan A, the first attempt to drill a rescue hole, begins.
- 5 September 2010: Plan B drilling begins.
- 18 September 2010: Miners celebrate the Chilean Bicentennial holiday underground.
- 19 September 2010: Plan C drilling begins.
- 24 September 2010: The miners have now been trapped underground for 50 days, setting a new record.
- 9 October 2010: The Plan B drill breaks through to the miners' workshop.
- 11 October 2010: The "Fénix 2" rescue capsule is tested in the completed shaft.
- 12 October 2010: The rescue operation begins at 11:20 PM CLDT.
- 13 October 2010: At 9:56 PM CLDT, the last of the 33 miners is brought to the surface.
- 14 October 2010: The first three miners are released from the hospital.
- 15 October 2010: 28 more miners are released from the hospital. Two remain for further care.
- 16 October 2010: Mario Sepúlveda is discharged from the hospital.
- 19 October 2010: Víctor Zamora is released from the hospital.
- 25 October 2010: The rescued miners are honored at the presidential palace in Santiago. They meet President Sebastián Piñera and play a friendly football game.
Reaction to the Rescue
Chilean President Sebastián Piñera and First Lady Cecilia Morel were present during the rescue. Bolivian President Evo Morales also visited the Bolivian miner, Carlos Mamani, in the hospital. Many world leaders contacted President Piñera to show their support and congratulate Chile on the rescue. These included presidents from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, South Africa, Uruguay, Venezuela, Poland, and prime ministers from the United Kingdom, Spain, and Ireland. US President Barack Obama and Pope Benedict XVI also praised the rescue efforts.
After the successful rescue, President Piñera gave a speech. He praised Chile, saying he was proud to be the president of all Chileans. He mentioned Chile's recent Bicentennial celebrations and said the miners were rescued with "unity, hope, and faith." He thanked other leaders for their support. He also promised that those responsible for the mine's collapse would face investigations, and that there would be new safety rules for workers.
Life After the Rescue
Most of the miners went home within 48 hours of their rescue. By October 19, all had left the hospital.
Doctors were surprised at how well the men had coped physically underground. President Piñera even invited them to a friendly football game and to visit the presidential palace.
Experts noted that the lack of sunlight could affect muscles, bones, and other body parts. They said the miners would need to be monitored closely. They had not been very active, so they likely lost some muscle and bone strength. Psychologists also mentioned that adjusting to normal life after such an ordeal could be challenging.
In the years after the accident, many miners faced challenges adjusting to life above ground, both emotionally and financially. Some found it hard to get new jobs, partly because of worries about their emotional well-being and the constant attention from the media. Some, like Jorge Galleguillos, found new work leading tours around the San José mining site. Mario Sepúlveda, known as "Super Mario," shared that adjusting to life after the rescue was a new kind of challenge.
Activities
On Sunday, October 17, 2010, six of the rescued miners attended a special church service at Camp Hope. Some of the rescuers also attended. Reporters and cameras crowded the miners, and police had to step in to protect them. Omar Reygadas, when surrounded by media, said, "I've had nightmares these days, but the worst nightmare is all of you."
The miners planned to start a foundation to help improve mine safety. Yonni Barrios said, "We're thinking about creating a foundation to solve [safety] problems in the mining industry." Juan Illanes added, "We have to decide how to direct our project so this type of thing never happens again."
On October 24, 2010, the miners attended a reception hosted by President Piñera at the presidential palace in Santiago. They received medals celebrating Chile's independence. Outside, they posed for photos next to the Fénix rescue capsule, which was displayed in the main square. Later, at the National Stadium, the miners played a football match against a government team. Team "Esperanza" (Hope), wearing the number "33," lost 3–2 to the government team.
In November 2010, the miners visited Los Angeles. In December, 26 of them visited a Manchester United training session in England. In February 2011, 31 of the miners were invited by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism for an eight-day trip to holy sites.
Lessons Learned
Immediately after the mine collapse, President Piñera removed top officials from Chile's mining regulatory agency and promised a major review of the department. In the days following the collapse, 18 mines were closed, and 300 others faced possible closure.
On October 25, 2010, President Piñera received a report from a new Commission on Work Safety. This report, created because of the Copiapó accident, included 30 ideas for improving safety, from better hygiene to better coordination between safety authorities.
President Piñera emphasized that the cost of rescuing the miners was not a concern. The operation was expensive, costing over US$20 million. The state mining company Codelco paid about 75% of the rescue costs, and private companies donated services worth over US$5 million.
A French credit rating agency said the dramatic rescue would help Chile's economic reputation. It showed international investors that Chile was a country where business could be done safely and efficiently.
Legal investigations began into the San Esteban Mining Company. A judge took steps to secure some of the company's money. Company officials claimed they didn't know a disaster was coming. However, miner Jorge Gallardo said that he recorded everything, and his daily safety reports were signed by a company official. Miner Victor Zamora expressed sadness that safety seemed less important than making money.
Chilean writer and former miner Hernán Rivera Letelier wrote an article offering advice to the miners. He warned them about the "hell of the show, the alienating hell of TV sets" and advised them to hold onto their families.
The miners hired an accountant to make sure any money from their new fame, like book and film deals, was shared fairly. They agreed to "speak as one" about their experiences. They even chose one of their group to be their official storyteller and another to be their poet.
The first TV documentary about the rescue aired on October 26, 2010. In 2014, the BBC reported that many survivors were still out of work and had not yet received compensation.
Monument
President Piñera suggested turning Camp Hope into a memorial or museum. A small monument was built at the mine entrance.
The Fénix 2 capsule used in Operación San Lorenzo is now displayed in the Plaza de la Constitución in Santiago, Chile. One of the backup capsules is in Copiapó, and another was sent to China for an exhibition. Discussions are ongoing for a permanent display of the capsule and possibly a museum. Since August 3, 2011, the Fénix 2 capsule has been displayed at the Atacama Regional Museum in Copiapó.
Books and Movies About the Rescue
While still trapped, the 33 miners decided to work with one author to write their official story. This was to ensure that no single miner would profit from the experiences of others. They chose Héctor Tobar, a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer. Tobar had special access to the miners and published their official account, Deep Down Dark: The Untold Stories of 33 Men Buried in a Chilean Mine, and the Miracle That Set Them Free, in October 2014. Tobar described other books on the topic as "quick and dirty" because they didn't have much cooperation from the miners.
A film titled The 33, based on the disaster, was directed by Patricia Riggen. It starred Antonio Banderas as Mario "Super Mario" Sepulveda. The movie focused on the disaster and the three-month rescue effort. The director mentioned in 2015 that many miners had not received money for their ordeal and still faced emotional challenges.
See also
In Spanish: Rescate de la mina San José para niños
