YoyPodcast — Drilling at the Limit: Discipline, Leadership, and the Rescue of the 33
What does it take to make decisions when lives are at stake and time is running out?
In August 2010, the entire world held its breath. A collapse at the San José mine in northern Chile left 33 miners trapped more than 700 meters underground. What began as a tragedy with little hope became, over 69 days, one of the most extraordinary achievements in survival, engineering, and teamwork in human history.
More than a decade after the event that kept millions glued to their screens, we know the “Miracle of Atacama” was more than good fortune. Beneath the surface were brilliant minds, cutting-edge technology, impeccable risk management, and, above all, leadership capable of operating under the most extreme pressure imaginable. Every centimeter drilled through the hard rock was a race against time with absolutely no margin for error.
To discuss what truly happened behind the scenes, Yoy Simulators is proud to present the second episode of Yoy Podcast, titled: “Drilling at the Limit: Discipline, Leadership, and the Rescue of the 33”.
In this new episode, our host Juan Reyes (Co-founder & CEO of Yoy Simulators) sits down with a distinguished guest and key figure in this achievement: Raúl Lyon, Executive President of Geotec.
Geotec was the company responsible for the famous “Plan B,” operating the drill that finally broke through the rock and reached the shelter where the miners were trapped, clearing the way for the Fénix capsule to bring them back to life.
In this episode, we explore crucial topics that go far beyond the story itself:
What does it really mean to maintain operational discipline when the eyes of the world are on you?
How do you manage risk when conditions change from one minute to the next?
How do teamwork and complete trust in your colleagues become your only means of survival?
More than an interview, this conversation is a master class for any leader, supervisor, or professional—inside or outside mining—who must face extreme situations. It is a reminder that safety, preparation, and the human factor are the foundations of our industry.
Watch the full episode and join the conversation on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HzfltP_35U
