A rescuer is being lowered very slowly down the escape shaft in a capsule to examine its condition. Only once he has reported, will the men be brought up. The first miner due to be winched to the surface should be Florencio Avalos - the 31-year-old foreman and second-in-command at the mine. He will be temporarily leaving behind his younger brother, Renan, who is another of those trapped.

The last man is to be the shift leader, Luis Urzua, who has been credited with showing the leadership that enabled the miners to survive the first 17 days when they were entirely cut off from the outside world.

President Sebastian Pinera has spoken to the miners over a communication line but hopes to greet them in person.

Bolivian President Evo Morales is also expected to arrive at San Jose to greet Carlos Mamani, a Bolivian national and the only non-Chilean in the group. He is scheduled to be the third miner brought to the surface.