Reply to: Chilean Mining Saga

[Mich the Tester]

I wonder if the film rights have been bought yet.

Plays have been written about this situation; I actually played in a student play about trapped miners, and had to 'die' on stage having first gone mad. I just can't remember the name of the play; must look up on wikipedia.

[centurian]

I think it would be a nice gesture if we sent Arthur Scargill down to share their struggle against capitalist oppression. It might be a bit tricky forcing him through a half mile long three inch wide tube, but I think its worth a go

Given the size of his ego, I'm surprised he ever managed to fit it down a full size mine shaft.

Also wasn't he recently kicked out of the NUM because he no longer qualified for membership.

[shaunbhoy]

I think it would be a nice gesture if we sent Arthur Scargill down to share their struggle against capitalist oppression. It might be a bit tricky forcing him through a half mile long three inch wide tube, but I think its worth a go

Well he's such a slippery bastard it would probably be possible. However, just to be safe, we should chop him up into small pieces first. The only way to be sure.

[Zippy]

I think it would be a nice gesture if we sent Arthur Scargill down to share their struggle against capitalist oppression. It might be a bit tricky forcing him through a half mile long three inch wide tube, but I think its worth a go

Well, I feel the - aaarrrggh - a s p i r aaaaaaa t i o n s of our - gnaaaaaaaaa - m e m be r s have not - owwwwwwwww - b e e n m e t.

[scooterscot]

There's not enough money in the world to get me down a mine and not enough prozac that could keep me sane if I was down there.

However as they are miners stuck in a gold mine and need to take their minds off the long wait ahead, why not tell them that any gold they find between now and when they get out is theirs to keep? They might even dig their own way back out.

a cruel deal considering it's a copper mine!

[PRC1964]

There's not enough money in the world to get me down a mine and not enough prozac that could keep me sane if I was down there.

However as they are miners stuck in a gold mine and need to take their minds off the long wait ahead, why not tell them that any gold they find between now and when they get out is theirs to keep? They might even dig their own way back out.

[scooterscot]

They all knew they could get out at any time, that knowledge would always be a comfort. Those guys would never have been prepared for an extended duration like an astronaut, requires a mentally strong mind.

The thought even of moving up a 30 cm diameter hole that is 700m in length without it collapsing gives me the heebee jeebees

[EternalOptimist]

I think it would be a nice gesture if we sent Arthur Scargill down to share their struggle against capitalist oppression. It might be a bit tricky forcing him through a half mile long three inch wide tube, but I think its worth a go

[shaunbhoy]

I'm looking forward to the inevitable 'Celebrity' version of it all.

I'm a Chilean Collier, get me out of here?

[shaunbhoy]

I agree. It's one thing going down for a shift or two when you know you can get out, and a completely different thing when you know escape is impossible.

Well I'm sure they will be fine. It is not as if escape seems impossible. It is just likely to be protracted. Most miners will know the risks of their chosen trade, and these ones will, I am sure, be upbeat due to the fact that they could just have easily been killed in such an incident.
Mind you, were we to be enclosing some of the namby-pamby bedwetters that frequent THESE pages, it would be an entirely different matter. Some of them wouldn't last the night without the light on, their comfort blankets, and being read a "Spot the Dog" bedtime story.

[Zippy]

Tough they may be but they probably didn't expect that situation. Being stuck in the dark unable to move is one of my personal nightmares but I still used to go potholing, I just never thought it would happen to me.

I agree. It's one thing going down for a shift or two when you know you can get out, and a completely different thing when you know escape is impossible.

[xoggoth]

Tough they may be but they probably didn't expect that situation. Being stuck in the dark unable to move is one of my personal nightmares but I still used to go potholing, I just never thought it would happen to me.

[shaunbhoy]

They are not trapped in a mine shaft but they are in a safe “room” underground with some facilities. They have food, water and light. There are communications to the surface.

WPS

These are Miners. Mentally and physically tough, they have to be. In a safe room with access to most of what they need.
They spend most of their time underground in cramped claustrophobic conditions as a matter of routine.
The only thing that will be vexing them will be whether or not they are allowed to bill for the entire period of their incarceration.

[Alf W]

I'm looking forward to the inevitable 'Celebrity' version of it all.

[xoggoth]

I suppose its better than the lot of some miners, being stuck in the dark alone, unable to move in a tight space and not knowing if anyone knows you are there but still truly awful. Can't imagine doing that job.