Andres Sougarett says the empty capsule descended 2,000 feet (610 meters), just 46 feet (14 meters) short of the chamber where 33 miners have been trapped since an Aug. 5 collapse.
He said all would be in place at midnight Tuesday to begin the rescue.
Mining Minister Laurence Golborne told reporters Monday that the capsule performed very well in the hole — that it didn't even loosen any dust. He did not say why the capsule did not go to the bottom.
The steel capsule was lowered by winch into the hole after its top 295 feet (90 meters) were encased in tubing.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
SAN JOSE MINE, Chile (AP) — A torrent of emotions awaits the 33 miners when they finally rejoin the outside world.
As trying as it has been for them to survive underground for more than two months, their gold and copper mine is familiar territory. Once out of the shaft, they'll face challenges so bewildering, no amount of coaching can fully prepare them.
They'll be celebrated at first, embraced by their families and pursued by more than 750 journalists who have converged on the mine, competing for interviews and images to feed to a world intensely curious to hear their survival story.
They've been invited to visit presidential palaces, take all-expense paid vacations and appear on countless TV shows.
Contracts for book and movie deals are pending, along with job offers. More money than they could dream of is already awaiting their signature.
Read more: Test shows Chile mine rescue shaft works
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