First trapped Chile miner to surface [October 12 2010]

The first of 33 trapped miners is expected to be lifted to the surface late Tuesday after miraculously surviving more than two months about half a mile below ground, Chiles Mining Minister Laurence Golborne announced. The minister told a news conference that officials "hope to have at least one of our miners on the surface" before the end of the day — apparently the longest period anyone has ever been trapped underground.

President Sebastian Pinera was expected to arrive shortly before the first miner is pulled out in a carefully choreographed operation meant to minimize any risk. Asked about the biggest technical problem that could hit the rescue operation, coordinator Andre Sougarett said: "A rock could fall."

"There is no need to try to start guessing what could go wrong. We have done that job," a confident Golborne said. "We have hundreds of different contingencies." Rescuers were keeping the miners busy on final preparations they were to climb into a custom-made capsule for what tests indicated should be a smooth ride to the outside world. "The miners are very busy — thats also to keep their spirits up," Health Minister Jaime Manalich said. "It remains a paradox — theyre actually much more relaxed than we are."