The 33 Miners of Copiapó Who Survived in Darkness

Miners must possess courage and confront life-threatening conditions every day. They encounter the reality of constant threats: breathing in toxic fumes, navigating darkness, escaping floods, enduring extreme temperatures, or surviving accidental cave-ins, all while worrying about potential chronic illness. In addition, they must grapple with claustrophobia, trust heavy machinery to prevent explosions, and rely on rescue crews if any accidents occur. 

In 2010, there was a mining accident in Copiapó, Chile, where 33 miners survived for 69 days while buried almost a half a mile underground. On August 5, 2010, a break in the mountain caused an enormous collapse inside the 121 year old mine. A single block of granite weighing 770,000 tons broke off, caused a chain reaction in the mine, and blocked the main ramp, trapping the miners inside. They were stuck 2,300 feet below the surface, in 95 degree heat and 95 percent humidity. For the first 17 days, no one even knew if the crew were alive. 

The 33 men were able to stretch a two day emergency supply of food. Every 48 hours they allocated two tablespoons of tuna, one sip of milk, and a single cracker. On August 22nd, 17 days after the initial incident, a drill finally broke through the ceiling of the refuge. When the rescue team brought the drill up they found a note taped to it written in red bold marker, that they were in the shelter and alive. 

While the crew waited for their rescue, they divided the space equally and named a leader, Mario Sepulveda, to keep morale high and manage decisions in order to stay safe.

Over the next two months, rescuers were able to drill an escape wide enough for a human body. The Chilean Navy built the “Phoenix,” a 21 inch wide capsule made of steel to rescue the team. On October 13, 2010, the capsule was lowered and one by one, the miners were lifted up, and they emerged to the surface. They were rescued without severe injuries. 

These miners had to overcome their fears of being forgotten in the darkness. The mental discipline of collectively being patient, assigning a “leader,” and managing decisions by vote was necessary to enforce group order and calm. Psychologists describe this behavior as group resilience theory. The miner’s courageous acts of self control and active leadership were critical to their survival.