Tests not clear on fate of miners

A TINY microphone lowered deep into the earth yesterday picked up no evidence six coal miners caught in a cave-in four days ago were still alive.

But an air sample indicated there was enough oxygen to breathe in the chamber where the miners were believed to be trapped, and rescuers promised to keep digging toward them.

Using a steel drill to bore a two-inch-wide hole 1,800ft into the mountain site of Monday’s cave-in, rescuers broke through late on Thursday. Though a crude air sample indicated plenty of oxygen and no methane in the pocket, it did not pick up carbon dioxide, the gas exhaled when people breathe.

Despite the silence, officials remained hopeful. It was also possible the drill had drifted and breached the wrong chamber.

“I wouldn’t look at it as good or bad news. The work is not done,” said Bob Murray, chairman of Murray Energy Corp, who added yesterday that oxygen levels suggested that if the men survived the collapse “they’re going to stay alive in that atmosphere”.

The air sample was sucked from the cavity through a steel tube, with a microphone attached to pick up any signs of life.

The bit broke through more than two days after drilling began. Two hours later, Mr Murray and officials of the Mine Safety and Health Administration said there was no immediate response after the drill reached the pocket.

Meanwhile, drilling continued on a second, wider hole, which could accommodate a powerful camera to provide a view inside the pocket, deliver food and water, and hopefully give a more definitive answer about the miners’ fate.

Richard Stickler, head of the Mine Safety and Health Administration, said there was a chance the smaller hole could collapse, so rescuers were leaving the steel pipe and microphone in place and did not plan on sending down a camera until drilling of the nine-inch hole reached the chamber.

The second hole was about 1,000ft deep just before sunrise yesterday, Mr Stickler said, leaving more than 800ft to go. Mr Stickler said drilling was due to be finished late last night.

Work also continued in the mine itself, where rescuers were slowly burrowing through the debris to reach the trapped workers.

“It’s incredibly labour-intensive,” said Rob Moore, vice-president of Murray Energy.

Relatives shouldn’t be discouraged by the lack of carbon dioxide, a lawyer for the company said.

The company has withheld the six miners’ names.