In 2010, the world watched anxiously as one of the most dramatic rescues in mining history unfolded: the salvation of 33 miners trapped in the San José mine in northern Chile. The accident became a symbol of human resilience and international cooperation, leaving a profound mark on the mining industry and workplace safety standards.
THE ACCIDENT
On August 5, 2010, a collapse in the San José copper and gold mine, located in the Atacama Desert near the city of Copiapó, trapped 33 miners 700 meters (2,300 feet) underground. The mine, known for its safety issues, had been in precarious condition for some time. The structure was unstable, and workers had previously reported hazardous situations.
The miners were stranded in an area known as the refuge, which, while designed for emergencies, offered limited protection under such extreme conditions. With temperatures reaching around 35°C (95°F) and scarce supplies, they had enough food for only two or three days: small portions of tuna, biscuits, and milk. Potable water was minimal, and initially, there was no way to communicate with the surface.
DESPAIR AND THE MIRACLE
In the days following the collapse, rescuers had no way of knowing if the miners were alive. With each passing day, the anguish of families and rescue teams grew. However, their determination to save the miners never wavered. Drilling equipment was used to locate the miners, and on August 22, 17 days after the collapse, a probe finally reached the refuge.
When the probe was pulled back to the surface, it carried a message of hope: “Estamos bien en el refugio, los 33” (“We are well in the shelter, the 33”). This phrase became a global symbol of survival and resilience. While the miners were alive, the task of rescuing them would prove to be a complex and lengthy operation.
THE RESCUE OPERATION
Once it was confirmed that the miners were alive, a race against time began to bring them back to the surface. Rescuers sent food, water, and medicine through small boreholes, as well as communication equipment that allowed the miners to stay in touch with their families and coordinate their needs with the rescue teams.
Three main plans were devised using different types of drilling machines to create a tunnel wide enough to extract the miners. Plan B, involving the Schramm T130 drill, proved the most successful. After weeks of drilling, the tunnel was finally completed.
THE PHOENIX CAPSULE
The miners were rescued using a specially designed capsule called the Phoenix, which was engineered to lift them one by one through the narrow tunnel. Measuring only 53 centimeters (21 inches) in diameter, the capsule was critical to the operation. The rescue began on October 13, 2010, and lasted approximately 22 hours.
The first miner to be rescued was Florencio Ávalos, and the last was Luis Urzúa, the team leader. All 33 miners were safely brought to the surface, and the world watched the operation live, with millions glued to their screens. The miners had spent 69 days trapped underground, setting a record for the longest survival in a mining accident.
IMPACT AND LEGACY
The rescue was an extraordinary display of international cooperation, with countries such as the United States, Canada, and South Korea contributing technology and expertise. The lessons learned from the San José mine accident sparked a global discussion on workplace safety in mines, highlighting the urgent need for better working conditions worldwide.
After the rescue, the miners underwent medical and psychological treatment, and their stories of courage were celebrated around the globe. The event also inspired numerous adaptations in film and literature, ensuring the memory of the accident lives on.
“THE 33” MOVIE AND CONTROVERSIES
In 2015, the miners’ story was brought to the big screen in the film The 33, starring Antonio Banderas as Mario Sepúlveda, one of the miners’ leaders. While the film was a commercial success, it was not without controversy and criticism.
The casting of international actors, including Antonio Banderas, Juliette Binoche, and Brazilian Rodrigo Santoro, raised concerns about the lack of Chilean representation in key roles, with critics arguing this detracted from the cultural authenticity of the narrative. Additionally, the film was predominantly in English, with actors adopting Spanish accents, which some found unnatural and distracting.
Despite these criticisms, Banderas’ performance was widely praised, and the film effectively conveyed the drama and heroism of the rescue. It highlighted the miners’ resilience and the extraordinary efforts of their families and rescue teams. However, some Chileans were disillusioned by allegations that the studio behind the film required the miners to sign lifetime image rights agreements without fair compensation.
CONCLUSION
The Chilean miners’ accident was a tragedy that transformed into a story of hope and triumph. The rescue, broadcast worldwide, became a symbol of human unity and determination. While the film adaptation sparked debates about representation, the story of the San José miners remains a remarkable testament to resilience in the face of extreme adversity.
This episode not only changed the lives of the miners and their families but also underscored the need for significant improvements in global mining industry safety standards.
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References:
- https://www.papodecinema.com.br/filmes/os-33/
- https://www.adorocinema.com/filmes/filme-196244/criticas-adorocinema/
- https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/internacional-55926799
- https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acidente_na_mina_San_Jos%C3%A9_em_2010