Springs museum is new home to Chilean miner rescue pod

The Western Museum of Mining and Industry in Colorado Springs, is the new and permanent home of an exact replica of one of the three rescue pods responsible for saving 33 Chilean Miners trapped in a collapsed mine in October 2010.

The Fenix-2 is a 13-foot high capsule, weighing 1,800 pounds.

“This is just a unique piece of history worldwide. It affected and impacted many of us that weren’t even on-site,” said Dave Futey, museum manager at the WMMI.

He said the Chilean mining minister visited the museum two years ago on a tour through the United States.

The pod was donated to the museum by the Chilean Tourist Board, arriving on Monday.

“This was a bit of a competition to, as you can imagine, get this particular piece and we’re very, very pleased to have received it,” Futey said.

The Fenix-2 was sent through a tunnel measuring 2,300 ft. in length to retrieve the miners trapped below.

Each miner was in the pod for over 30 minutes before they were reunited with family and friends after 68 days.

The pod will not be displayed with certain features used during the time of the rescue. The missing items include an oxygen supply, special lighting system, safety harnesses and an escape hatch.

“It is very exciting for the museum. This is our first major exhibit acquisition in quite a long time, so we’re extremely pleased in receiving it,” said Futey.

For more information on the museum, click here.