Mines Minister Laurence Golborne said over the weekend that his best estimate was that the miners would be extracted in the second half of October.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Even Laurence Golborne, Chile's energy ministry, acknowledged that it will now be harder to sell the idea of nuclear power to an already sceptical Chilean public.

BBC: Barack Obama visits Chile amid nuclear debate

On Friday, Chile's Minister of Mines, Laurence Golborne, told the assembled media that the official estimate of the rescue date was to be brought forward, to "the second half of October".

BBC: World media gear up for Chilean mine rescue

"We are looking at other options, but the most important thing is that we don't have any failures and that we can rescue them at least within that period, " Chilean Mining Minister Laurence Golborne told reporters.

CNN: Drilling to reach Chile miners yet to begin

"Everything is going a little bit better than anticipated, " Laurence Golborne told CNN about the three holes -- dubbed Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C -- being dug in an effort to open a passageway to safety for the men.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS