YoyPodcast - Drilling to the Limit: Discipline, Leadership, and the Rescue of the 33
The second episode of Yoy Podcast revisits the 2010 San José mine collapse through the leadership decisions that made the rescue of the 33 miners possible.
What does it take to make decisions when lives are on the line and time is running out?
It was August 2010, and the whole world held its breath. A collapse at the San José mine in northern Chile trapped 33 miners more than 700 meters underground. What began as a tragedy with little hope turned, over 69 days, into one of the most extraordinary milestones of survival, engineering, and teamwork in human history.
Today, more than a decade after an event that kept millions glued to their screens, we know the "Atacama Miracle" wasn't just a matter of luck. Behind the scenes there were brilliant minds, cutting-edge technology, flawless risk management, and above all, leadership able to operate under the most extreme pressure imaginable. Every centimeter drilled through solid rock was a race against the clock, with zero margin for error.
To talk about what really happened behind the scenes, Yoy Simulators is proud to present the second episode of Yoy Podcast, titled "Drilling to the Limit: Discipline, Leadership, and the Rescue of the 33."
In this new episode, our host Juan Reyes (Co-founder and CEO of Yoy Simulators) sits down with a special guest and key figure in this feat: Raúl Lyon, Executive Chairman of Geotec.
Geotec was the company behind the famous "Plan B," operating the drill that finally broke through the rock and reached the shelter where the miners were, opening the way for the Fénix capsule to bring them back to life.
In this episode, we dive into crucial themes that go far beyond the anecdote:
- What does it really mean to maintain operational discipline when the eyes of the whole world are on you?
- How do you manage risk in scenarios where the variables change minute by minute?
- How do teamwork and blind trust in your colleagues become your only tool for survival?
More than an interview, this conversation is a true masterclass for any leader, supervisor, or professional — in mining or beyond — who has to face extreme situations. It's a reminder of why safety, preparation, and the human factor are the pillars of our industry.
We invite you to watch the full episode and join the conversation on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HzfltP_35U