Hope,conflict in moment of rescue

The first of 33 trapped miners was expected to be lifted to the surface late on Tuesday,Chiles Mining Minister Laurence Golborne announced. Golborne said that officials hope to have at least one of our miners on the surface before the end of the day,apparently the longest anyone has ever been trapped underground.

After 68 days of shared fears,the early fellowship has frayed. Some relationships are as hostile as the desolate sands of the surrounding Acatama desert. Relatives shared stories of the divisiveness with a reporter who spent the past month at the camp.

The feuds and jealousies within families centred on such matters as who got to take part in weekend video conferences with the miners,who received letters and even who should speak to the media. Some relatives complained about distant kin seeking the international media limelight,giving interviews about trapped miners they barely know.

Then there are those who,despite distant blood ties to miners,lined up for donated gifts including sexy lingerie,bottles of wine,toys and Halloween costumes for children. There were even fights over who constitutes a close relative,or even a miners preferred conjugal companion.

So,Alberto Iturra chief of the psychology team advising the miners decided that after each miner rides an escape capsule to daylight,the rescued man will meet with between one and three people whom the miner has personally designated.

Money has already strained relations between families as some seem to be getting more than others,including from some news media.

Cognizant of the emotional toll,Iturra recommended that the relatives leave the mine. I explained to the families that the only way one can receive someone is to first be home to open the door, Iturra said.

President Sebastian Pinera was expected to arrive shortly before the first miner is pulled out in a carefully choreographed operation meant to minimize any risk.

Asked about the biggest technical problem that could hit the rescue operation,coordinator Andre Sougarett said: A rock could fall.

There is no need to try to start guessing what could go wrong. We have done that job, a confident Golborne said. We have hundreds of different contingencies.

Rescuers were keeping the miners busy on final preparations they were to climb into a custom-made capsule for what tests indicated should be a smooth ride to the outside world.

The miners are very busy thats also to keep their spirits up, Health Minister Jaime Manalich said. It remains a paradox theyre actually much more relaxed than we are.

First out will be the four miners fittest of frame and mind,said Health Minister Jaime Manalich. Should glitches occur,they will be best prepared to ride them out and tell the others what to expect.

Next to be rescued will be 10 who are weakest or ill. One miner suffers from hypertension. Another is a diabetic,and others have dental and respiratory infections or skin lesions from the mines oppressive humidity.

The last out is expected to be Luiz Urzua,who was shift chief when the men got trapped,several family members of miners said.

Plans called for the media to be blocked by a screen from viewing the miners when they reach the surface. A media platform has been set up more than 90 metres away from the mouth of the hole.