The men have been sent dry clothes, food supplies and entertainment

The 33 men trapped in a mine in northern Chile say they are in better spirits after they were able to speak to their relatives by telephone.

The news came in a video message the miners sent up to the surface.

Engineers are due to begin drilling a rescue shaft to reach the men, who have been now trapped for three weeks at San Jose gold and silver mine.

The shaft, going about 700m (2,300ft) underground, is likely to take 90 to 120 days to complete.

Once finished to a width of about 60cm, a capsule will be lowered down so the miners can be hauled out one-by-one.

Chilean Mining Minister Laurence Golborne told reporters that the last remaining piece of the drill was on its way and that engineers would be able to begin work by the end of Monday "if God wills it".

Mr Golborne had earlier said up to 10 options were being considered in the efforts to rescue the men.

But he dismissed suggestions that the men could be out within a month, saying: "Up to now there is no alternative... that would allow us to get them out in 30 days."

On Sunday, the miners were each able to speak to family members for one minute by telephone.

/>

Click to play

Click to play

Advertisement

The supply line which is proving vital to the Chilean miners

Alicia Campos, said she broke down as she said goodbye to her son, Daniel Herrero, promising him she would see him again.

"His voice is the same. He's not good, but not so bad either," she said.

Jessica Chille said speaking to her husband, Dario Segovia, had been "a balm to my heart".

The men are trapped in a refuge chamber of the mine, where they managed to take shelter after a rock collapse on 5 August.

Rescue workers have been using narrow shafts to send essential supplies to the trapped men, and ensure they have adequate ventilation.

One of the men has some medical training and has been able to give his colleagues vaccinations against tetanus. They will be sent flu vaccinations later this week.

Quick-dry clothing has also been sent down, after some of the miners said they were suffering from skin conditions in the hot, wet conditions. Others have been sent mats to sleep on to protect them from the damp ground.

They have also been sent mp3 players to listen to music and a small screen, so they can watch football matches.

Families of the men have set up a temporary encampment at the head of the mine, which they have called Camp Hope.

The BBC's James Reynolds at the mine, about 800km (500 miles) north of Santiago, says a shrine has been built for each of the miners, covered in photographs, messages and football shirts.