One year on, rescued Chile miners try rebuilding lives

Most have travelled for the first time and some have tasted fame, but only a few of the 33 Chilean miners miraculously rescued one year ago after a disastrous cave-in have turned their lives around.

Invitations and offers of publicity poured in after the miners emerged from the San Jose copper and gold mine in northern Chile after 69 days trapped underground, in scenes watched by millions around the world on live television.

Seven of the 33 are still signed off on sick leave one year later, badly suffering from sleeping disorders, Alejandro Pino, a doctor from the Chilean Association of Security, said.

The rest “are living normal lives, while some are being treated for minor problems at home”, Dr Pino said.

But most of the miners say they are struggling to recover from the experience, with a large number still without stable work.

Once outside, the world’s media shone the spotlight on the group of men who survived more than two months some 700 metres underground in unbearable heat and darkness, barely eating for the first 17 days.

Since then, separately or together, they have travelled to more than 14 countries, rubbed shoulders with celebrities and accepted various invitations to recount their incredible tale of survival.

After the initial frenzy of activity, the last months have been relatively calm. The first anniversary of the collapse – to be commemorated in a religious ceremony tomorrow – finds them trying to rebuild their lives.

Most still live near the San Jose mine, in the city of Copiapo, some 500 miles north of the capital Santiago. Many have sporadic jobs far removed from tough mining work, making the most of donations received since the rescue. Fourteen asked for early retirement because they feel unable to return to work. The government is still studying the request.

Authorities also face a multi-million-dollar negligence case filed by the mine workers, who are each seeking $500,000 in compensation.

Yonni Barrios, famed for nursing his trapped companions, has tested positive for a harmful lung disease that is typical among miners.

The mine’s owners, who have made public apologies, now face a trial and possible compensation and rescue costs of about $20 million.

The victims have still not revealed exactly what happened inside the mine, but have created a company to protect and exploit the rights in films, books and other products.

Chronology

2010

August 5: A mine shaft caves in at the San Jose mine, 800 kilometres north of Chile’s capital Santiago, trapping 33 workers.

August 6: Chilean President Sebastian Pinera says his government will do “everything humanly possible” to rescue the miners.

August 7: New cave-ins complicate attempts for a direct rescue through a ventilation duct.

August 12: Mining Minister Laurence Golborne says the chances of finding the miners alive are slim.

August 22: A drill probe reaches the miners and they attach a note to it saying: “All 33 of us are well inside the shelter.” The first video footage shows the miners waving their arms and apparently in good condition.

August 23: The trapped miners beg to be rescued soon and receive first supplies via a pipeline.

August 25: Chilean officials tell the miners it could be months before they are rescued. They exchange their first letters with their families.

August 30: Rescuers start drilling a first 30-centimetre pilot hole, aiming for the emergency shelter 700 meters underground.

September 18: A second drill reaches the level of the miners, but a 630-meter-deep hole must now be widened.

September 19: A third, more powerful drill starts work on another shaft.

October 9: The main rescue shaft breaks through to where the miners are trapped.

October 13: The first miner, Florencio Avalos, is pulled to the surface in a specially designed steel cage winched up through the rescue shaft. By night time, shift leader Luis Urzua is the last worker to leave the mine.

October 14: As celebrations kick off throughout Chile and around the world, the last of the rescuers sent down to the mine is brought to the surface.

2011

March 2: A parliamentary investigating committee puts most of the blame on the mine’s bosses “for failing to adopt the necessary work conditions and having tried to blame inspectors and even the miners themselves”.

July 15: Thirty-one of the miners sue the government for negligence, citing a lack of security.