Global General

Miners receive Bicentenary Medals at Chilean Presidency

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-10-26 14:19

SANTIAGO - Thirty-three miners, who were trapped 700 meters underground for 70 days, received at the Chile' s Presidential Palace on Monday the honorable medal of Bicentenary.

After a conversation with the President Sebastian Pinera and first lady Cecilia Morel, Interior Minister Hinzpeter, Mining Minister Golborne, Health Minister Manalich, the 33 miners received from them a medal of Bicentenary and a flag of Chile.

Chilean miner Luis Urzua (C), one of the 33 miners recently rescued from San Jose mine, speaks during a ceremony alongside Chilean President Sebastian Pinera (3rd L) at La Moneda presidential palace in Santiago, Chile, on Oct 25, 2010. Each of the 33 miners was awarded a bicentenary honor medal during the ceremony on Monday.[Photo/Xinhua]

In the speech that Pinera delivered at the ceremony, he praised the miners' persistence and courage, the love and faithfulness of their families, the great effort of the rescuers and medical personal, as well as the entire nation who showed support during the whole process.

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Pinera said the successful rescue was done by the Chilean nation, which demonstrates the Chilean people's capability and solidarity to the world.

Outside the Presidential Palace "La Moneda", thousands of people were gathered at the Plaza of the Constitution,-- where the rescue capsule "Phoenix II" is on exhibition -- waiting to hail to the miners, asking for signatures and handshakes.

The miners expressed to the media that they were emotional and happy to receive the medal and the applauses from the big crowd. Later, a soccer match will be held between the miners and the government officials, as an act of celebration.

On August 5, the copper-gold mine San Jose in the northern Chilean desert of Atacama collapsed, leaving 32 Chilean and one Bolivian miners trapped 700 meters underground until they were rescued 70 days later.

A series of nationwide celebrations have taken place since the successful rescue, including the exhibition of "Phoenix II" at the Plaza of the Constitution in central Santiago. Also the capsule " Phoenix I" was sent to Universal World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China.