MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Piñera promises full investigation into accident with 33 trapped miners

Rescue efforts so far have been unsuccessful

With 33 miners remain trapped in a mine near the city of Copiapó in Chile’s north the Chilean government is taking action to determine who is responsible for this tragedy and how similar events can be avoided in the future.

Top officials have been meeting over the past several days in the presidential palace La Moneda, and investigations have already started into the background, safety measures and internal documents of San Esteban Primera, the company that owns the San Jose mine.

The 33 miners have been trapped underground within the mine since last Thursday. Since, the mine has ceased all operations.

“Now is the time to look for those responsible, and they will not go unpunished,” said President Sebastián Piñera. “While there is no guarantee of security, the mine will not reopen”.

The president also announced that the National Geologic and Mining Service (Sernageomin) would be restructured, after reports surfaced of inefficient mine and safety audits.

Gabriel Meza, the local district attorney, is also taking action. He has opened an investigation into San Esteban, including the confiscation of internal documents to review records of its operations, shifts, workers and permits. Meza confirmed said the company’s executives “have helped and cooperated fully. Everything was voluntary and transparent”.

Meza says he plans to question all executives of Sernageomin. “Whatever negligence there is in the network will be investigated by the National District Attorney’s Office,” said Sabas Chahuán, national district attorney.

Deputies Giovanni Calderón and Patricio Melero also asked for an investigation into why the mine reopened in 2008 after closing in 2007. Former regional director of Sernageomin, Anton Hraste, said the mine’s reopening was questionable at best.

“The head of the company was aware that this mine should not have been reopened ever,” he said. “Under my direction, the mine stayed closed.”

But while government officials scramble to find the responsible parties and the underlying reasons for the mine’s collapse, all eyes remain on the rescue effort. On Tuesday morning outside La Moneda, citizens and government officials gathered for a morning prayer for the trapped miners.

Miguel Fortt, a mine engineer and rescue expert who has worked on similar rescue efforts, said he remained positive about the mission at hand. “With all the resources that there are, I have no doubt,” that the men will be rescued successfully, he said.

He also said the time needed for drilling to give food and water to the miners would probably be shortened, although it was previously to take about six days. “With the current conditions, where Monday we were able to drill down 200 meters in 22 hours, we are reducing the period,” he said. With air and water, Fortt explained, it is possible for humans to stay alive for almost 1.5 months.

Fort said if alive, the miners could probably hear the machines working, which “could raise their spirits.”

By Laura French – Santiago Times