Sterling says Clippers deal started with 2 numbers
Sterling says Clippers deal started with 2 numbers
When Shelly Sterling was approached by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer about buying the Los Angeles Clippers, the wife of disgraced NBA team owner Donald Sterling did not know who he was. But in before long she...More >>When asked how much money she wanted to sell the Los Angeles Clippers, the wife of disgraced team owner Donald Sterling handed a piece of paper to her lawyer with two numbers: $1.5 to $2.More >>Hershey takes wraps off new corporate logo
Hershey takes wraps off new corporate logo
The Hershey Company is rolling out a new corporate logo that features a stylized version of one of its most famous chocolate products.More >>The Hershey Company is rolling out a new corporate logo that features a freshly stylized version of one of its most famous chocolate products.More >>Ebola in mind, US colleges screen some students
Ebola in mind, US colleges screen some students
College students from West Africa may be subject to extra health checks when they arrive to study in the United States as administrators try to insulate their campuses from the worst Ebola outbreak in history.More >>College students from West Africa may be subject to extra health checks when they arrive to study in the United States as administrators try to insulate campuses from the worst Ebola outbreak in history.More >>Ferguson slowly starting to make comeback
Ferguson slowly starting to make comeback
The unmistakable signs of healing are beginning to dot Ferguson, even the small area of this St. Louis-area suburb that was the center of attention for three weeks. But those in the community know they've got a...More >>The unmistakable signs of healing are beginning to dot Ferguson, even the small area of this St. Louis-area suburb that was the center of attention for three weeks. But those in the community know they've got a long...More >>Obama's visit comes amid tight governor's race
Obama's visit comes amid tight governor's race
The last time President Barack Obama celebrated workers' rights at a Wisconsin Labor Day event, there was barely a hint of the turmoil that would embroil the state later when public employees staged massive...More >>The last time President Barack Obama came to Wisconsin to celebrate workers' rights on Labor Day, there was barely a hint of the turmoil that was to come.More >>
Woman IDs dead, learns about Native beliefs
Woman IDs dead, learns about Native beliefs
Woman's quest to ID those buried in Arizona Indian cemetery teaches her about Native cultureMore >>Woman's quest to ID those buried in Arizona Indian cemetery teaches her about Native cultureMore >>US journalist thankful for work to secure freedom
US journalist thankful for work to secure freedom
US journalist Peter Curtis thanks those who helped secure his release from Syrian groupMore >>US journalist Peter Curtis thanks those who helped secure his release from Syrian groupMore >>Quake warning device could help California
Quake warning device could help California
California earthquake marks first major test of hard-luck city of Vallejo after bankruptcyMore >>California earthquake marks first major test of hard-luck city of Vallejo after bankruptcyMore >>Dad of 18-year-old shot by officer asks for peace
Dad of 18-year-old shot by officer asks for peace
Michael Brown's father asks for 'day of silence' as he prepares to lay his son to rest MondayMore >>Michael Brown's father asks for 'day of silence' as he prepares to lay his son to rest MondayMore >>Strong California quake causes injuries, damage
Strong California quake causes injuries, damage
6.0-magnitude earthquake in Northern California causes injuries, damaging fires, power outagesMore >>6.0-magnitude earthquake in Northern California causes injuries, damaging fires, power outagesMore >>
Associated Press
BONANZA, Nicaragua (AP) - Rescue workers and trapped miners alike frantically dug away at opposite sides of rock and mud that blocked a Nicaragua gold mine, finally succeeding in freeing at least 20 men even as efforts to reach those still missing continued Saturday.
Antonio Diaz said the miners tried to cheer each other up inside the dark, cold shaft, attacking the slide with their picks and shovels by the light of helmet lamps. But after 24 hours, they began feeling hungry and some started losing hope.
"I kept thinking I was too young to die and above all, I thought about my two daughters," the 32-year-old miner said from a hospital bed in the town of Bonanza, near the El Comal gold and silver mine.
He said the miners finally cut a hole through the blockage and started shouting, but at first there was no answer.
"Hours later, someone heard, and when he answered us we felt life coming back into our bodies," Diaz said. "God had answered our pleas to keep living."
Bonanza Mayor Alexander Alvarado, a former miner who participated in the rescue efforts, said it took about 100 men working around the clock to reach those trapped and even then, it took about another two hours to bring the first miner out to safety.
"We kept telling them their families were waiting for them and to know that God was with them and was giving them a second chance in life," Alvarado said.
Two of the freelance miners escaped slightly after the Thursday morning slide, and officials said another 20 were brought out late Friday. Mirta Lagos, an official of the ruling Sandinista Party who was at the site, said five families reported they have a relative missing.
The rescued miners were checked by paramedics and taken to a clinic in Bonanza, about 260 miles (420 kilometers) northeast of Managua. Interior Vice Minister Carlos Najar said they were a bit dehydrated but in good health.
Hundreds of relatives and fellow miners had gathered to pray outside the mine as rescuers lined up ladders along a 200-foot long tunnel leading toward where the men were trapped. The mine cuts into the side of a mountain and then goes upward.
The gold and silver mine is on a concession held by Hemco, which is owned by Colombia-based Minero SA. But the trapped miners themselves are freelancers allowed to work in the area if they sell any gold they find to the firm, mining company spokesman Gregorio Downs told The Associated Press.
Downs said the company had warned miners about the danger of working in the El Comal area, especially after two miners died in a rain-caused landslide there last month.
"We live by extracting mineral from Hemco. They told us digging here was risky, but sometimes one is willing to risk it for a few more cents," said Absalon Toledo, leader of the informal miners.
According to the Hemco's website, the company has mined in the north Atlantic municipality since 1995 and employs 532 workers, who process 700 tons of material a day. The company says it produces more than 2,500 pounds (1,150 kilograms, 37,000 troy ounces) of gold a year and is Nicaragua's 12th largest exporter.
Luis Manuel Galeano reported from Managua. Associated Press writer Olga R. Rodriguez contributed from Mexico City.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
No comments:
Post a Comment