Shannon firm plays key role in rescue

A SHANNON-BASED engineering company played a key role in the rescue of the miners from the Chilean mine yesterday.

Mincon Ltd, which makes precision mining equipment, supplied the drill which broke through the cavity where miners were trapped on August 5.

Joint owner of Mincon, Joe Purcell, said yesterday: “We are very proud that a tool designed by us in Shannon and made by us made the crucial breakthrough in locating the men which led to yesterday’s rescue. When I get home to Ennis tonight, I’ll definitely pop a bottle of champagne.”

Mincon, which employs 52 people at Shannon, has a worldwide workforce of 130.

One of their suppliers in Chile was contacted by rescue workers for their Mincon MX5053 drill, which was designed at the Shannon headquarters and makes a hole 137mm (5.5inches) in width.

Using the Shannon-made tool, rescue workers heard tapping on the drill at a depth of 2,260ft on August 22, 17 days after the miners were trapped.

When the rescue teams withdrew the Mincon drill, a note was attached to it with the message: “We are fine in the shelter.”

President Pinera showed the message found on the drill to the world media covering the dramatic events.

The Mincon drill was then used to bore a second hole to where the miners were and this borehole was used to get food, medication and a communication system to the trapped miners.

Mr Purcell said their drill is designed to keep a very straight line as it works through rock.

He said: “This was crucial for the search teams as their target was so small. When the drilling was going on they had various discussions with us. We were thrilled when we got the news that they had managed to drill a hole to where the miners were trapped and we have been following the story very closely ever since.

“They also used our drill to put down a second hole to get down, food and medical supplies and communications systems to the miners.”

Mincon was founded by Joe’s father, Paddy, in 1977.

Mr Purcell, 44, who lives at Oakley Wood, Ennis, with his wife and four children, said: “We designed the Mincon MX5053 drill and started making it in 2007. It is a world leader in mining and now it has achieved something for us which we will cherish for the rest of our lives.”