As each Chilean miner was hauled to the surface

The smooth rescue operation is a reflection of the businesslike attitude that Mr. Pinera, a billionaire businessman turned politician, brought with him when he took office in March, becoming Chile's first conservative president in decades, analysts said.

'The fact they are alive was a miracle. The fact they are out is to the government's credit,' said Patricio Navia, a Chilean political scientist who teaches at New York University. Mr. Navia said he expected Mr. Pinera's current approval rating of around 50% to rise. After the cave-in on Aug. 5, Mr. Pinera cut short a visit to Colombia and flew to the mine to comfort family members who refused to give up the workers for dead.

Mr. Pinera insisted that the government would spare no expense to find them. Soon after, he returned to the mine bringing experts from state-run Chilean copper company Corporacion Nacional del Cobre, known as Codelco, to lead the search efforts.

When the miners were found on Aug. 22, the president flew back to the mine to get the rescue efforts under way. When the miners were lifted to safety on Wednesday, they were greeted at the top with hugs from Mr. Pinera. As Chileans celebrated, Mr. Pinera said he would stay at the mine until the last miner was rescued.

'The president must always be prepared. Therefore, I will stay here until we rescue the 33 miners. . . . We won't leave them behind,' he said.

Mr. Pinera, who made his fortune mostly through Chile's LAN Airlines SA, has been in problem-solving mode since his first day in office on March 11.

Just days before taking office, Chile was hit by one of the strongest earthquakes on record, an 8.8 magnitude quake. He tossed aside his plans for the first 100 days and focused entirely on the quake aftermath.

Critics, however, say the president's high-profile role in the rescue efforts could have a downside, too: Some might think he has been hogging the camera for political gain.

'The media overexposure could generate a backlash,' said Bernando Navarrete, associate professor at Universidad de Santiago's international studies school.

Following the handwritten note that came out of the mine on Aug. 22 telling the world that the 33 miners were alive