Rescued Chilean miners launch own souvenir range

Whenever you go away to a foreign country it's almost obligatory to come back with some sort of tacky tourist souvenir, a few keyrings for your friends, or a T-shirt declaring your love for a certain city.

But those stopping off in Chile as part of their overland adventure in South America may get a chance to take back with them some souvenirs with a difference.

It has been announced that the 33 Chilean miners who were trapped underground for 69 days in 2010 before their sensational rescue, are to launch their own branded line of products that they hope to sell to those visiting the South American country.

The miners have registered the brand name 'The 33 of the miracle' after finding that a number of other phrases associated with the event, such as 'The Atacama 33' and 'Operation San Lorenzo', had already been registered by other people.

"We'll make all kinds of products like mugs, sweatshirts, T-shirts and medals, so that tourists remember us," said one of the miners Jose Ojeda in comments made to Chilean newspaper El Mercurio and translated by the Telegraph.

The proceeds from the products, which will be sold at airports across Chile, will go to the miners, some of whom have struggled financially as their fame following the rescue dissipated, reports the BBC.

Coverage of the rescue was broadcast around the world and was one of the biggest news stories of the year in 2010.

However, the miners have had to adapt to going back to a normal life following their period in the spotlight.

Some have started new businesses and give motivational talks, others have returned to mining and some are living off a state pension.

August 5th 2012 will mark the second anniversary of the rockfall that trapped the miners underground for more than two months.

Many of the miners will attend a ceremony at the San Jose Mine near the town of Copiapo, where a monument to their rescue will be inaugurated.