'Plan B' could mean speedier rescue of Chilean miners - from Karl Penhaul - correspondent - CNN

CNN, from Karl Penhaul, CNN correspondent, Copiapó, 28/08/2010, 17:18 GMT, excerpt/extracto.-

Mining engineers in Chile say they have come up with a "Plan B" that could halve the time it will take to rescue the 33 miners trapped inside a mine since August 5.

Walter Herrera, quality control and risk manager for Chilean mining company GeoTech, said his company was bringing a specialized device -- a Scram T-130 drill, typically used for boring water holes -- to the San Jose mine. He told CNN Saturday that the drill could be on site and working within five to six days.

He said the plan hinges on using one of the three bore holes, measuring four-inches each in diameter, that has already been drilled and is being used to pass the miners supplies. The drill would use that bore hole as a pilot and simply widen the diameter to about 28 inches.

Herrera said the plan his company has drawn up indicates that workers would have to drill 624 meters (2,047 feet) to reach the miners.

"I don't want to put a time frame on this," he said. "We think it could be quicker than the other plan. In ideal conditions, this could take around two months."