After nearly a week trapped underground, Peruvian miners were rescued on Wednesday. Cloaked in red blankets and special protective eyewear, the miners were led out by rescuers.<br/> <br />The men had been stuck about 656 feet below ground since the illegal copper-and-gold mine partially collapsed last Thursday. They had been receiving oxygen and liquids through a giant hose that was in place before the accident.<br/> <br />Miners acknowledged having many anxious moment as they waited for rescuers.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: Miner Javier Tapia Lopez saying (Spanish):<br/> <br />"Yes, there was a point when we thought we wouldn't get out."<br/> <br />The incident at the mine -- also known as a wildcat mine prompted President Ollanta Humala to call for better conditions<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: President Ollanta Humala saying (Spanish):<br/> <br />"I would invoke across the nation a policy that would help formalize these thousands of Peruvians who live off illegal mining under inferior human conditions where they work without plans and many times in a very amateur way just to make a little bit of money for their families."<br/> <br />Peru's vast informal mining operations generate as much as $2 billion dollars a year in revenue.<br/> <br />Deborah Gembara, Reuters.
