The ‘Chilean Mining Accident’ began on August 5th 2010. It led to 33 men being trapped at a depth of 700 meters (2,300 feet) underground, when a cave-in occurred at a gold and copper mine in Northern Chile. The miners were rescued and Mincon, an Irish engineering company based at Shannon Co Clare, played a crucial role in the rescue.
In order to locate the trapped miners exploratory bore-holes were drilled. A Mincon drill made the first breakthrough. The trapped miners attached a note to the drill which read: ‘We are well in the shelter, the 33 of us’. The rescue began and eventually the men were all brought safely to the surface.
The 33 Chilean miners who were trapped underground for 69 days were all rescued in the year 2010 On This Day.
Chile rescue