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Utah miners' rescue 'in two days' Utah mine rescue efforts resume
(about 5 hours later)
The head of a mine in the US state of Utah - where six men have been trapped underground since Monday - has said they could be rescued in two days. Rescue efforts resumed overnight at a coalmine in the US state of Utah where six men have been trapped underground since Monday.
Robert Murray, chairman of the company which owns Crandall Canyon mine, said rescue efforts were about to resume as seismic activity had subsided. Two holes are being drilled to bring them air and water. No contact has been made with the men, who are 1,500ft (457m) underground.
No contact has been made with the men, who are 1,500ft (457m) underground. A 2.5-inch (6.35cm) hole was drilled to 1,000 ft by 2330 (0530 GMT), said Lane Adair, general manager at the mine.
The head of the mine has said it could take up to a week to reach the men.
Rescue teams had suspended their efforts because of earth tremors.
It is unclear how much air is in the mine, although it is reported to be stocked with drinking water.It is unclear how much air is in the mine, although it is reported to be stocked with drinking water.
Mr Murray on Wednesday cut his estimate of the time it would take to reach the miners from one week to two days, as rescue teams were preparing to resume the search a day after suspending them because of earth tremors. He said there was plenty of oxygen to support the men if they were still alive.
CRANDALL CANYON MINE Located in Manti-La Sal National Forest, 16 miles (25km) from HuntingtonUses the "retreat mining" method, which experts say is one of most dangerous Coal pillars hold up area of mine's roof. When completely mined, pillars are pulled, causing intentional roof collapse Mine layout and locationCRANDALL CANYON MINE Located in Manti-La Sal National Forest, 16 miles (25km) from HuntingtonUses the "retreat mining" method, which experts say is one of most dangerous Coal pillars hold up area of mine's roof. When completely mined, pillars are pulled, causing intentional roof collapse Mine layout and location
Rock falls wiped out a 310ft advance made by rescuers, taking them "back to square one", said Mr Murray. Rock falls wiped out a 310ft advance made by rescuers, taking them "back to square one", said Robert Murray, chairman of the company that owns the mine.
They had managed to get within 1,700ft of the men on Monday.They had managed to get within 1,700ft of the men on Monday.
The group is thought to be 3.4 miles (5.5km) from the mine entrance.The group is thought to be 3.4 miles (5.5km) from the mine entrance.
According to Mexico's consul in Utah, three of the miners are Mexican citizens.According to Mexico's consul in Utah, three of the miners are Mexican citizens.
It is still not clear what caused the cave-in at the mine, 140 miles (225km) from Salt Lake City.It is still not clear what caused the cave-in at the mine, 140 miles (225km) from Salt Lake City.
Initially the collapse was blamed on an earthquake, but experts have since suggested the shafts might have caved in with enough force to register on seismographs.Initially the collapse was blamed on an earthquake, but experts have since suggested the shafts might have caved in with enough force to register on seismographs.
This has led to speculation that mining procedures could have triggered the incident.This has led to speculation that mining procedures could have triggered the incident.
It has been claimed that the workers were using a risky technique known as "retreat mining", where the last standing pillars of coal are pulled down and the roof is allowed to fall in.It has been claimed that the workers were using a risky technique known as "retreat mining", where the last standing pillars of coal are pulled down and the roof is allowed to fall in.
HopeHope
However, Mr Murray insisted that an earthquake caused the collapse. However, Mr Murray insisted an earthquake caused the collapse.
"This was an earthquake, contrary to what others might have you believe," he said."This was an earthquake, contrary to what others might have you believe," he said.
Relatives are waiting anxiously for news of the six menRelatives are waiting anxiously for news of the six men
Some 135 people are involved in the rescue operation.Some 135 people are involved in the rescue operation.
A helicopter ferried machinery and equipment to the site, near the town of Huntington, where two holes are being drilled vertically down to get air and food to the men.A helicopter ferried machinery and equipment to the site, near the town of Huntington, where two holes are being drilled vertically down to get air and food to the men.
They had initially hoped to reach the miners via an adjacent mine shaft, but were forced to withdraw after moving just 50ft because of "geological and geotechnical problems".They had initially hoped to reach the miners via an adjacent mine shaft, but were forced to withdraw after moving just 50ft because of "geological and geotechnical problems".
Judy Bishop, whose cousin was among the trapped miners, told Reuters news agency: "I always have hope. When you give up hope you give up life. I won't give up hope."
US federal mining inspectors have issued 325 citations for alleged safety violations at the mine since January 2004. Of those, 116 were considered "significant and substantial" and likely to cause injury.US federal mining inspectors have issued 325 citations for alleged safety violations at the mine since January 2004. Of those, 116 were considered "significant and substantial" and likely to cause injury.
Experts have said the number of citations is not unusual, and the mine's owners have insisted they run a safe mine. Experts have said the number of citations is not unusual, and the mine's owners say they run a safe mine.
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Are you in the area? Do you work at or have connections with the mine? Send us your details using the form below.Are you in the area? Do you work at or have connections with the mine? Send us your details using the form below.
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