On the... placing a container surrounding the wreckage idea... (through the dirt)
The frame that is to be welded should be smaller in with than the drills,
and placed behind it, so it doesn't get in the way of digging.
Issue. First it goes straight down. Then moves forward.
Then the drills retract in length, detached from the frame.
The drill goes back up to the surface, to be attached another frame.
With, I guess the welding machine that travels inside the frame,
and in-between it possibly.
The frame would be shaped same as the drills.
Two vertical beams, and one horizontal.
So those are my reasoning to the possible solution.
Hope someone can make sense of it.
If I should try and design it in more detail, I will but,
I think someone else can do better with the guideline above......
If anyone is interested.