Chillean miners likely to be evacuated on Wednesday, says Mining Minister

London, Oct 10 (ANI): Rescuers in Chile are expecting to evacuate the 33 miners trapped underground at the San Jose mine by Wednesday, according to Mining Minister Laurence Golborne.

According to Sky News, Golborne announced the date after the drilling of an escape shaft was completed.

"We hope to start the evacuation process on Wednesday," he said.

He also said that only part of a nearly 2,050 feet long escape shaft will be reinforced. The rest of it is exposed rock and the rescue team believe that it is strong enough to pull the miners to the surface, the report said.

The mining minister said that work had begun to weld pipes together to line the shaft.

The miners are believed to be in remarkably good health, although some have developed skin infections. During the evacuation, the miners would wear special tinted glasses to avoid damaging their eyes when they are exposed to sunlight. he San Jose mine, near Copiapo, collapsed on August 5. The South American nation celebrated when all 33 men were located 17 days later.

Rescuers have been passing high-energy gels, water and food underground to keep the miners alive. (ANI)