Mine authorities in Tasmania says the rescue attempt for two miners trapped underground for a week has reached a delicate stage.
The Beaconsfiled goldmine manager, Matthew Gill, says the operation no longer involves explosives with rescuers just 12 metres from the men.
He says preventing rockfalls is the key now.
"The rescue has reached a very delicate stage. We have established permanent contact with the two men, and they have received some food and fresh water, and they do remain in good spirits."
He says. "We must stress that the conditions are very difficult and dangerous and that people should not underestimate the difficulties in getting them out safely.
Brant Webb and Todd Russell are beginning their seventh day trapped in a cage almost a kilometre underground.
Until late yesterday afternoon, rescuers were blasting and drilling through the rock that still stands between them and the men.
But the rescuers have been forced to change their methods because of the delicacy of the process now.