Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Where Are Chile Miners Now?

Shockingly, 4 go back to work in a mine everyday

By the Associated Press

Posted Aug 4, 2011 12:18 PM CDT

(AP) – One of the myths surrounding the 33 miners who were so dramatically rescued after being trapped for 69 days deep inside a Chilean copper mine is that they're all millionaires and no longer need to work. The reality? Nearly half the men have been unemployed since their mine collapsed one year ago tomorrow, and just one, the flamboyant Mario Sepulveda, has managed to live well off the fame. Most have signed up to give motivational speeches, but so far, four go back to work underground to pound rock for a living. Lawsuits filed by "Los 33" amount to $27 million, but only 19 stand to profit as the others were employed by separate mining contractors, and the legal battle will likely take years.

Despite rumors that miners got rich off media interviews, most got only paid trips, hotel stays, and the kinds of gifts that don't put food on tables. Fifteen are unemployed; seven regularly give motivational speeches; three hawk fruit and vegetables in the street, and two have small grocery stores. Others are unable to work due to continuing psychological symptoms, and receive a fraction of their former salaries as government medical payments. Edison Pena, who ran in the New York marathon, appeared on US talk shows, and is known for his love of Elvis Presley, confessed to El Mercurio that it has been hard to keep the celebrity-worship going. His wife told the paper that their life "is as dark as the mine was." (Click to read about the miners' R-rated request while they were underground, or relive last year's saga.)

FILE - In this Oct. 13, 2010 file photo, Chile's President Sebastian Pinera, center, first lady Cecilia Morel, left, and Mining Minister Laurence Goldburn, right, talk to the press after the rescue of... (Jorge Saenz)

FILE - In this Jan. 7, 2011 file photo Chilean miner Edison Pena strikes an Elvis Presley pose outside the Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tenn. One of the myths surrounding the 33 miners who survived 69... (Mark Humphrey)

FILE - In this Oct. 13, 2010 file image released by the Navy of Chile via La Tercera newspaper on Oct. 16, 2010, trapped miners wait their turn to be rescued inside the San Jose mine near Copiapo, Chile.... (Anonymous)

FILE - In this Oct. 13, 2010 file photo. Roxana Gomez, center, daughter of miner Mario Gomez, cries while watching on TV her father's rescue, as Maria Segovia, right, sister of trapped miner Dario Segovia,... (Natacha Pisarenko)

FILE - In this Oct. 13, 2010 file photo, the 31st of 33 miners to be rescued, Chilean miner Pedro Cortez arrives at the hospital after his rescue in Copiapo, Chile. One of the myths surrounding the 33... (Dario Lopez-Mills)

FILE - In this Oct. 13, 2010 file photo, Edison Pena, center, is greeted while emerging from the capsule that brought him to the surface from the collapsed San Jose gold and copper mine near Copiapo,... (Jorge Saenz)

In this Oct. 13, 2010 file photo released by the Chilean government, miner Pedro Cortez, center, is helped by rescue workers after being pulled out of the gold and copper mine near Copiapo, Chile. (Hugo Infante)

FILE - Luis Urzua, the last of the 33 miners to be rescued, center wearing green, celebrates next to Chile's President Sebastian Pinera after being pulled from the San Jose gold and copper mine near Copiapo,... (Roberto Candia)

FILE - In this Oct. 13, 2010 file photo, Samuel Avalos, top left, waves after being rescued at the San Jose mine near Copiapo, Chile. Top right is Chile's President Sebastian Pinera and Avalos' wife Ruth... (Roberto Candia)

FILE - In this Jan. 31, 2011 file photo, a group of the rescued Chilean miners pose for a group picture in front of the Magic Kingdom Castle during their visit to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla.. One... (Reinhold Matay)

FILE - In this Oct. 25, 2010 file photo, rescued miners raise Chilean flags presented by Chile's President Sebastian Pinera, unseen, during a ceremony to honoring them at La Moneda presidential palace... (Roberto Candia)

FILE - In this Oct. 15, 2010 file photo, rescued miner Victor Segovia, center, arrives at his home in Copiapo, Chile. One of the myths surrounding the 33 miners who survived 69 days, 700 feet deep, and... (Martin Mejia)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

CLICK BELOW TO VOTE

86%

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Miners Already Breaking 'Blood Pact'

Many willing to talk to media—for a price

(NEWSER) - While they were trapped, the Chilean miners signed a "blood pact" stating that they’d keep the details of their experience to themselves. But information has spilled as many consent to interviews—though rarely for free, the New York Times reports. “We’re poor—look at the place we live,” said the wife of one miner. “You live off our stories, so why can’t we make money from this opportunity to feed our children?” Miners have reportedly requested anywhere from $40 to $25,000 for interviews. “We paid $500,” said a Japanese newspaper reporter who spoke with the first man to exit the mine. “And it felt like he was withholding details.” More»

Chilean Miner Hits NYC Marathon

Edison Pena ran every day while trapped underground

(AP) - He trained 2,300 feet underground, running miles each day with his very life in the balance, but today rescued Chilean miner Edison Pena hit the ground running in the New York City Marathon. He began at 9:40am, and hoped to finish the 26.2-mile race in six hours. Dubbed "The Runner," the 34-year-old Pena jogged every day of his 69-day ordeal through the tunnels of the collapsed mine. More»

Chilean Miner Sings, Dances, Cracks Dave Up

Letterman interviews Edison Peña on Late Show

(NEWSER) - Rescued Chilean miner Edison Peña appeared on the Late Show last night, and cracked up host David Letterman with his tales of the “funky” conditions in the mine before it collapsed. “Is, in South America, ‘funky’ a mining term?” Letterman asked. After a pause, Peña’s cheerful reply: “Si!” Watch highlights from the interview—Peña even sings some Elvis—in the gallery, or click here to see the activity the adventurous miner has planned next. More»

Running Miner Takes on NYC Marathon

Edison Peña ran 6 miles a day while trapped in mine

(NEWSER) - After you’ve spent 69 days trapped in a mine, what’s one teensy 26.2-mile run? Edison “The Runner” Peña has agreed to compete in the New York City Marathon, the New York Post reports, accepting an invitation from the organizers. Peña, one of the 33 men recently rescued from a Chilean gold and copper mine, earned his nickname during his ordeal by running six miles a day through the underground tunnels. More»

Chilean Miner: I Will Go Back

All but 2 have left hospital, headed home

(NEWSER) - All but two of the Chilean miners have quietly left the hospital, and being trapped for 66 days underground apparently isn't enough to stop at least one from heading back to the mines, reports the BBC. "That's my life," Omar Reygadas says. "I will go back to the mine because that is simply my job. My life is working in a mine... I love working underground and I know I am coming back." More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Where Are Chile Miners Now?

Shockingly, 4 go back to work in a mine everyday

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Chile • Chilean miners • Mario Sep?lveda • Edison Pena

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Miners Already Breaking 'Blood Pact'

Many willing to talk to media—for a price

Chilean Miner Hits NYC Marathon

Edison Pena ran every day while trapped underground

Chilean Miner Sings, Dances, Cracks Dave Up

Letterman interviews Edison Peña on Late Show

Running Miner Takes on NYC Marathon

Edison Peña ran 6 miles a day while trapped in mine

Chilean Miner: I Will Go Back

All but 2 have left hospital, headed home

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?