Relatives of the miners trapped underground gather around a screen that shows the miners inside the mine at Copiapo, Chile.IVAN ALVARADO
Authorities in Chile plan to begin the arduous task of rescuing 33 trapped miners on Tuesday evening.
Here's more on the planned rescue and the men's ordeal in the collapsed mine, where they have been trapped for 69 days.
RESCUE EFFORT:
Name given to escape capsules:
Phoenix, after the mythical bird that rose from the ashes, which symbolizes the rebirth the miners would experience upon being lifted to the surface.
Distance capsule will pull miners to ground level:
622 metres, almost as high as two stacked Eiffel Towers
Width of capsule:
53 centimetres
Width of hole:
66 centimetres
Equipment in the capsule:
A biometric belt to monitor the miners, a three-hour supply of compressed air, a harness that will hold the men in place in case they faint as well as audio and video links. If something goes wrong, the detachable bottom of the capsule can become an escape hatch.
Duration of ascent:
Anywhere from 11 minutes to an hour, meaning the entire rescue could take as long as 48 hours.
What will happen once the miners reach the surface:
They will be taken to a triage area for medical checks. If they are healthy, they will be taken to a stabilization room for an hour of two of medical monitoring before being allowed to visit with two or three family members. The miners are to be taken by helicopter to a hospital in nearby Copiapo, where they will remain for at least 48 hours.
MINE COLLAPSE:
Date the copper-and-gold mine caved-in:
Aug. 5
Days before first contact with the outside world:
17
Days miners have been trapped underground:
69
Authorities' initial estimate of how long it could take to rescue the miners:
Until Christmas
Underground activities:
Letter writing, phone calls with loved ones, movies and TV programs, exercise regime, reading, praying, working and media training. The men maintained a sense of order, designating a leader and a spiritual counselor, organizing into shifts and dividing their tunnel into spaces for meals, recreation, rest and hygiene.
Age range:
The youngest miner is 19 and the oldest is 63.
Nationalities:
Thirty-two are Chilean and one is Bolivian.
Name given to tent settlement where family, friends, engineers, government officials and journalists await the men:
Camp Hope
Source: Globe and Mail archives and wire services