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Utah mine rescue efforts resume Rescuers resume Utah miner search
(about 2 hours later)
Rescue efforts resumed overnight at a coalmine in the US state of Utah where six men have been trapped underground since Monday. Rescue efforts have resumed at a coalmine in the US state of Utah, where six men have been trapped underground since Monday after it collapsed.
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. Two holes are being drilled to bring them air, water and food. 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 furthest of the holes has so far reached a depth of 1,000 ft, mine official Lane Adair said.
The head of the mine has said it could take up to a week to reach the men. The head of the mine said it could take at least a week to bring the men out.
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.
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 Robert Murray, chairman of the company that owns the mine. Rescue teams had earlier suspended their efforts because of rock falls on Tuesday.
They had managed to get within 1,700ft of the men on Monday. Seismic shocks wiped out a 310ft advance made by rescuers, taking them "back to square one", said Robert Murray, chairman of Murray Energy Corp, which owns the mine.
The two drill holes are expected to reach the miners by Thursday or Friday night, he added.
Rescuers 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".
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.
Cause unclear
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.
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.
Hope
However, Mr Murray insisted an earthquake caused the collapse.
"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. This has led to speculation mining procedures could have triggered the incident.
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. It has been claimed 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.
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". But Mr Murray has rejected this, saying an earthquake caused the collapse.
"The damage in the mine was totally unrelated to any retreat mining," he said.
"This was caused by an earthquake, not something that Murray Energy... did or our employees did or our management did," he said.
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 say 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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