Chilean writer Isabel Allende, left, Chilean President Sebastián Piñera and his wife Cecilia Morel take part in a recent ceremony for the start of the oil drill platform operation at the San José mine, near Copiapó. (Héctor Retamal/AFP/Getty Images)

SANTIAGO, Chile – Technicians at the San José gold and copper mine have confirmed that the rescue of the 33 trapped miners will happen in the beginning of November, as originally planned.

Several Chilean news media outlets had speculated the rescue could have occurred early next month.

“We’ve always talked about the first days of November,” André Sougarret, the chief engineer in charge of the rescue operations, said during a media conference. “We must remember that there are still a number of additional operations besides drilling, such as the casing and the process of lifting people, and therefore we are keeping this date.”

Miners trapped inside the San José gold and copper mine celebrate the country’s 200th anniversary of its independence a half-mile below the surface. (Government Handout/Reuters)

Sougarret said part of the Schramm T-130 drill, which is being used to dig a tunnel to the miners, broke and fell to the bottom of the shaft at the San José gold and copper mine on Sept. 22. No injuries were reported.

“One of the hammer drills became detached from its base. These are the types of unforeseen things that can happen,” Sougarret said.

While the machines continue to drill, a team of doctors and specialists is working nonstop to preserve the physical and mental health of the trapped miners, who on Sept. 23 completed 50 days buried about a half-mile underground.

Friends and families of the trapped miners have lunch at La Esperanza encampment, where they wait for the 33 trapped miners to be rescued. (Martín Bernetti/AFP/Getty Images)

“The most important thing is to keep the miners busy,” said Alberto Iturra, a Chilean psychologist who is working with the miners to help them cope with their frustration and despair, according to the Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA) news agency. “[The miners] have been very good at solving problems by getting organized. They have devised and carried out a very well-structured work system and have established a mealtime routine.”

The miners also are receiving instruction on handling media requests for interviews since they’ll be thrust into the media spotlight when they are rescued, Iturra said. The men, who have been trapped in a mine longer than ever documented, have emerged as an international story after the mine collapsed on Aug. 5.

“Many of these guys have very limited and informal education,” said Jorge Díaz, a member of the rescue team, according to the U.S. daily The Washington Post. Díaz said the men were “well prepared” for the world of mining but not as ready for the fame awaiting them.

A clown livens up the birthday of Marion Gallardo, the granddaughter of trapped miner Mario Gómez, who is next to Gómez’s wife, Lilianne Ramírez, at the Esperanza encampment near the San José gold and copper mine. (Ariel Marinkovic/Getty Images)

Outside the mine, shows of affection for the trapped men continue pouring in from all over the world.

On Sept. 20 more than 10,000 gathered at the Petril Park in downtown Copiapó for a concert in honor of the trapped miners.

The concert, called “Let’s sing!” was attended by the families of the miners and the Chilean minister of mining, Laurence Golborne. Chilean folklorists Inti-Illimani, Argentine crooner Piero and stand-up comedian Coco Legrand were among those who performed.

“I send my appreciation to the families of the miners,” said U.S. President Barack Obama in an interview with Chilean TV personality Don Francisco. “I am sure that they will be rescued and brought back to the surface.”

Brazilian soccer legend Pelé sent an autographed No. 10 jersey to the miners.

“Dear friends: I am praying for you,” Pelé wrote in a message to the trapped men.