First rescue capsule arrives at Chilean mine

The first of three rescue capsules specially built toenvironmental impacts of limestone mining in northeast india lift out 33 miners trapped since early August arrived at the mine Saturday. Two back-up rescue devices constructed at Chile's naval shipyard are expected to be delivered next week. The man-size capsule will be used to pull the miners out one by one once one of the three rescue holes being drilled reach the men.

The government says that should happen by early November or earlier if all goes well. Mining Minister Laurence Golborne showed off the first capsule to relatives of the trapped miners Saturday. Golborne and about a dozen family members tried out the capsule, a 924-pound (420-kilogram) tube made of steel mesh and sheets that is big enough to hold one person. The capsule is nearly 10 feet (three meters) tall on the outside. Inside, the space is 6 1/4 feet (1.90 meter) high and about 21 inches (53 centimeters) across.