Copiapo, Chile, Sep 8 (EFE).- The second drill being used in the operation to rescue 33 trapped miners in northern Chile is making good progress and on Wednesday reached a depth of 268 meters (871 feet), the head of the operation confirmed.
"I remind you that it's in its first phase and then will come a second phase," engineer Andre Sougarret told reporters, explaining that the Schramm T-130 will first drill a conduit about 30 centimeters (12 inches) in diameter that will then be widened to about 66 centimeters (26 inches).
The engineers calculate that the drill, which is considered to be the rescue operation's "Plan B," must drill about 638 meters (2,074 feet) deep following the track of one of the communication lines being used to maintain contact with the men below ground.
Sougarret said the T-130, an air-assist, reverse-circulation drill, will halt its operations for about 14 hours while technicians change some of the equipment to ensure optimum performance.
Also moving forward, although less quickly, is the Strata 950, the first drill to begin excavating at the site last week, which has gotten to a depth of 141 meters (458 feet).
The drilling track of the Strata machine is being directed to the trapped miners' refuge - which they have been using as their living quarters since they were trapped on Aug. 5 - inside the mine, 702 meters (2,303 feet) below ground.
Meanwhile, the platform on which a third drill will be placed is almost ready, and authorities predict that the machine will arrive disassembled in a convoy of 42 trucks over the next two days.
"Camp Hope," on the surface near the mine entrance, on Wednesday was visited by Argentine Planning Minister Julio de Vido, who was accompanied by Chilean Energy Minister Ricardo Raineri.
The Argentine minister turned over to Chilean authorities a videotape with a greeting to the 33 miners in the name of his country's president, Cristina Fernandez, a tape that will be able to be played by the men in the mine.
"We've transmitted via a video, which will later be sent to the comrades who are inside the mine, the personal greeting of the Argentine president to all of them," said De Vido.
Meanwhile, Wednesday was a special day for Juan Illanes, one of the trapped men, who celebrated his 54th birthday with his 32 companions.
By way of a present, authorities will allow him to speak for five minutes with Carmen Baeza, his wife, by videoconference.
