Bergteamet AB, leading underground mining contractor in Sweden, is participating as a partner in the rescue operation of the 33 trapped miners in the San Jose mine in Chile – see http://www.im-mining.com/2010/09/03/even-the-bbc-can-get-it-wrong-international-mining-not-mining-international-discuss-chilean-mine-rescue/ Bergteamet was contacted by one of its partners in Chile regarding the possibility to participate in the rescue operation. Bergteamet had at that time technical equipment stored in Santiago, which had been used to drill a number of shafts in Chile. The equipment was waiting for transport to a new project in Bhutan.

Two of Bergteamet’s experts flew immediately to Santiago in order to assist the rescue organisation with their specialist technical competence. The transport of the equipment to Bhutan was stopped. Bergteamet staff attended a number of planning meetings with the rescue management. A number of other experts in raiseboring, from all over the world, also participated in these meetings.

Beside the expert knowledge that Bergteamet staff members contributed in making the rescue plans. An important result of these meetings was the decision that its Rhino 2006 raiseborer, together with all the necessary ancillary equipment, was transported to the scene of the accident. The Bergteamet equipment will be a backup to the Strata 950, which already is in operation.

Bergteamet has also sent one of its most experienced and skilled technicians as an adviser to the ongoing rescue work. He will also have surveillance over Bergteamet’s equipment.

“We are extremely happy to assist in the efforts to rescue the trapped mine workers and we feel honoured to have been selected as a partner in the rescue operation by the mining company Codelco, which is leading the rescue work,” said Erik Selin, division manager for Raiseboring in Bergteamet AB.