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Updated Monday, August 30, 2010 10:48 am TWN, AFP

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Chilean miners' rescue bid to begin

But Mining Minister Laurence Golborne earlier rejected reports of an early rescue.

Golborne said Pinera asked him to look at all possible alternatives.

“We have reviewed 10 different options,” he told Radio Cooperativa. “Up to now there is no alternative... that would allow us to get them out in 30 days.”

Golborne said that while the Australian-made bore went to work, engineers would also be widening a third existing access shaft to the miners' shelter from 10.2 centimeters to 30.5 centimeters (four-12 inches) so bigger objects can be sent down to them.

He said once completed, engineers would consider the possibility of widening that access shaft even further to the point that the miners can be extracted.

Meanwhile, he added, on Sunday one of the miners will be allowed to talk with his family by telephone “for at least one minute.”

Golborne said the trapped miners would also receive over the next few days audio-visual equipment including MP3s with speakers, a small video projector with a collection of soccer matches on DVDs, playing dice, and clothes.

He said special collapsible cots would also be lowered to the shelter to provide more comfortable sleeping arrangements for the workers.

Rescuers contacted the miners through a narrow shaft a week ago and have been sending them fresh water, messages and supplies ever since.

Most of the miners were shown in good spirits in a video they sent to their families at the surface on Thursday after their three-week ordeal, but a handful of them appeared to be struggling psychologically.

Yet Manalich said five depressed miners were doing much better after receiving food, vitamins and communicating with friends and relatives, who sent them a video recording earlier Saturday.

Chilean authorities have already taken steps to boost the men's mental resilience for the struggle that still lays ahead, notably by reaching out to organizations and individuals with experience in long isolation.

Four officials from the U.S. space agency NASA were due to arrive Sunday or Monday in Chile to provide expertise, while submarine commanders in Chile's navy have already given advice.

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