Progress of robotic camera at Utah mine halted late Tuesday due to obstructions

HUNTINGTON — After nearly reaching the mine floor this evening, a robot that could be used to search parts of the Crandall Canyon Mine was forced to withdraw and will now have to wait until workers finish drilling a seventh hole before entering.

The robot was lowered into the third bore hole and got within 10 feet of the mine, but the ceiling had shifted and stopped the robot's progress, said Jack Kuzar, a district manager with the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

After withdrawing the robot, other holes were examined for use. However, it was determined that the odds were too great that the robot would be destroyed before even getting into the mine, so officials said they would wait until they finished the seventh hole.

"These other holes have been there awhile, and the mountain is moving," Kuzar said. "That's why we decided to wait until this seventh hole is completed."

The seventh hole was started at 4 a.m. this morning, and it has gone more than 300 feet into the mountain. When complete, the hole will ideally go into the "kitchen" area of the mine.

That may have been usable as an escape for miners Kerry Allred, Don Erickson, Luis Hernandez, Carlos Payan, Brandon Phillips and Manuel Sanchez. The six have not been heard from since a mine collapse on the morning of Aug. 6.

Kuzar said it probably would be late Wednesday or early Thursday — barring any weather delays, such as were experienced Monday — before the hole is complete. It could be late Thursday before there are any family or media briefings about what is found in the hole.

Attorneys for the family members of the six trapped miners said they were disappointed, especially since the seventh hole and the robot may be their last chance to discover the miners.

"The family was looking for information, and they didn't get it today," attorney Edward Havas said. "They're holding up as well as can be expected. Our people aren't unrealistic, they know the score. But as long as they can hold on, they have hope."

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