Utah Coal-Mine Rescuers May Have Missed Target With First Drill

[helderheid]

By Christopher Martin

Aug. 10 (Bloomberg) -- Utah coal-mine rescuers may have missed the shaft where six workers have been trapped since Aug. 6, mine officials said.

Air-quality readings overnight show oxygen, methane and carbon monoxide levels match those of an area that was sealed off from where the miners were working, and not the active mine shaft, Richard Stickler, assistant U.S. labor secretary, said today in a media briefing at the mine.

``We're disappointed,'' Stickler said, adding that the air readings didn't indicate whether the miners survived the roof collapse. The oxygen level where the drill entered the shaft was about 7.5 percent, which ``would not support life very long.''

No estimate was available for when a larger, more accurate drill will reach the miners, Stickler said. Robert Murray, chief executive officer of the mine operator, said yesterday that the second drill may reach the miners later today or early tomorrow.

To contact the reporter on this story: Christopher Martin in New York at [e-mail] .

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a2TsbxEw7lvI&refer=home

[AndyA]

1. Well, that's bad news, but it's good since it still gives room for hope.

I heard they had adequate food and water to get by for days, although they might be reaching the end of their supply by now. Hopefully the air is good where they are.

[spinbaby]

2. Wait a minute

This morning Murray was going on about 20% oxygen. How did it get from 20% to 7.5%?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

3. Yeah, you could tell.

Murray gave a press conference two days ago "explaining" how the first 2.5" drill was imprecise and if they're off by just a couple of inches then they'll miss the cavity and the media shouldn't give their hopes up. However, the 8.5" drill is perfectly accurate and is sure to hit the cavity. No explanation as to why the 2.5" was so inaccurate and the 8.5" was, given they're both GPS based.

You could tell he was lying. It's clear to me that by then he already knew the first drill was going to miss.

[applegrove]

4. He was never sure if the small hole would hit the target. The owner said so last night.

But the big 8 1/2 drill hole will be right on.