miners traped

HUNTINGTON, Utah (CNN) -- Rescuers have bored one-third of the way to the cavity where they believe six miners were trapped by a Monday mine collapse, the mine operator's CEO said Wednesday.

A mine official says efforts to drill a hole into the mine could prove fruitful as soon as Friday.

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If all goes well, the drill could reach the miners by Friday, said Robert Murray, CEO of Murray Energy Corp.
"In two days if they continue this pace, that hole will be down to where we want it to be," Murray said, adding that drilling efforts will have to begin anew if rescuers miss the cavity.
As of 7 a.m. Wednesday, rescuers had drilled a 2½-inch-wide hole through 450 feet of rock, Murray said. The miners are thought to be 2,000 feet from the closest access point and 1,500 feet underground. There has been no contact with the miners since they were trapped.
Another drilling effort could prove fruitful as well, as efforts to drill a roughly 8¾-inch-wide hole are under way and also are expected to take two days to reach the miners, Murray said. Watch mine boss Murray reveal what he calls "good news" »
The larger drilling effort, which Murray guaranteed would hit the mine cavity where the miners are thought to be, was delayed because rescuers had to set up a "very huge rig" on a 23-degree mountain slope.
The effort also was hindered because rescuers had to cut 8,000 feet of roads out of the surrounding forest to make a route for the heavy machinery, Murray said.
Murray stuck to his Tuesday assertion that it will be at least a week before the miners can be rescued.

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