< p>MICHIGAMME TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — Rio Tinto Eagle Mine officials say a drilling method that's safer because it keeps more workers from going underground is about to get around-the-clock work in the Upper Peninsula.

WLUC-TV reports (http://bit.ly/YxLCdP ) that workers at the Marquette County mine plan to launch the 3.5-ton drill bit on Wednesday that works inside the mine up to the surface. It's being assembled underground.

Mine officials say they created a similar hole last month for air intake and emergency access. The second is for exhaust.

Three men will work the drill — one of the few in North America — from the surface.

Company officials said last week they'll delay the start of nickel and copper production because of the economic situation and volatile commodities markets. Construction is about 80 percent complete.

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Information from: WLUC-TV, http://www.wluctv6.com