The results of a three year investigation into the 2010 collapse of the San Jose mine in Chile that trapped 33 miners underground for more than two months are in:  It was no one’s fault.  And that’s angering Chileans and the Miners.

“This is a disgrace to Chile’s justice system,” said Mario Sepulveda, the miner who became de facto spokesman for the group. 

“It’s impossible that in an accident of this magnitude no one is held responsible,” Sepulveda said. “Today, I want to dig a deep hole and bury myself again; only this time, I don’t want anybody to find me.”

When the ground came down around them, the miners said it felt like an earthquake.  Rescue efforts went on for two weeks before anyone on the surface even had any confirmation the men had actually survived.  They were trapped 700 meters underground and suffered with pneumonia, dental problems, and other maladies for 70 days.  People around the world worried for “Los 33” and cheered when they were rescued. 

But this week, prosecutors closed the case saying that there wasn’t enough evidence to charge the owners or regulators.

Really?

Former mining minister Laurence Golborne led the rescue operations three years ago.  He told Chilean radio that regulators had ordered the owners of the century-old mine to build an emergency exit, but they did not comply.  If that exit were completed, the men could have just walked out instead of being trapped underground for 70 days.

The men now must place their hope of reparations in a civil lawsuit filed a year after the collapse.