Mission accomplished: Eaton´s hydraulic components contribute to the rescue of the Chilean miners (Nov 2010)
Several of Eaton’s hydraulic products were at work on the rescue of the 33 miners that had been trapped more than half a mile underground in the San José Mine in Copiapó, Chile. Eaton‘s Char-Lynn low-speed motors, Eaton and Vickers piston pumps, Vickers sectional valves, and Aeroquip hose and fittings are strung head-to-toe on the high-powered T130XD hydraulic drills rig made by Schramm, Inc. The T130XD drill rig widened the shaft that was drilled as an evacuation route for the miners. A Schramm T685 drill rig, also equipped with Eaton products, drilled the initial bore hole that located the miners, who had been trapped since August 5, when the main mine shaft collapsed.
Drilling progress much faster than expected
Eaton’s products were performing hoist lift and lowering functions on the T130XD drill. The evacuation shaft was first widened by approximately 12 inches and then an additional 14 inches as it tunneled its way some 2300 feet (700 meters) below ground. The two Eaton-equipped drill rigs were being used by area Chilean contractors for mining, energy, geothermal and water drilling when they were called to duty to help save lives in the mine disaster – with effective results in the end: The drilling progress was much faster than initially expected, and the rescue took place after 69 days on October 13th. Schramm had equipment and service personnel on site at the northern Chilean copper and gold mine to help in any way possible. Based in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Schramm has been an Eaton customer for more than 15 years.
Events
-
LAMMA Show 2025
15 January, 2025, 8:30 - 16 January, 2025, 16:30
NEC, Birmingham UK -
SOUTHERN MANUFACTURING & ELECTRONICS SHOW 2025
04 February, 2025, 9:30 - 06 February, 2025, 15:30
Farnborough International Exhibition Centre, off Aerospace Boulevard, Farnborough GU14 6TQ -
SMART Manufacturing & Engineering Week
04 - 05 June, 2025
NEC, Birmingham UK -
PPMA 2025
23 September, 2025, 9:30 - 25 September, 2025, 16:00
NEC, Birmingham UK
