Research on the Chilean Mine Collapse of 2010
This paper researches four news articles that reported on the Chilean mine collapse that occurred on 5 August, 2010. The focus will be on the communications of the collapse regarding audience. The paper will discuss the potential needs of the families of the miners in receiving a message about this incident and the potential needs of the company’s employees when receiving a message about this incident. Finally the question “What actions must you take before and after the message is delivered to ensure that it was received as intended?” will be answered.

There are various similarities within all four articles. First, no one knows exactly if the men trapped below were able to make to an emergency shelter in the mine where there was three to four days of emergency rations stored. All reports do concur to the fact that drilling back down to rescue the miners will be difficult and will take some time. However, once news of the collapse spread through the local community and finally to the world, the families of those men trapped were angry and frustrated with the lack of news. The families’ of the miners require some type of feedback on their current status and that everything possible is being done to assist them. The biggest drawback is being trapped that far below, the mining company and rescue teams did not have answers for those families. Turning to the employees, whether they are working in another mine or part of the top side crews, you now have hesitation of returning to work in these mines for fear being in the same predicament. It is very likely that friends are trapped. The company’s employees need reassurance that this was a “freak accident” and that once the miners are safe a complete investigation will be conducted in order to prevent something like this from happening again.

From a company stand point, it is difficult to provide comfort and reassurance to both employees and family members when you don’t have answers to their questions and concerns. We’re talking about human lives, lives of brothers, husbands, fathers and children, not a piece of machinery or some other inanimate object. The company would need to first ensure that the proper authorities and rescue group have been contacted and get them started. Next a conference with the families would be in order to let them know of the severity and that you are doing everything possible. The company would need to connect on an emotional level, with the company’s president and rescue team lead in person and in the crowd. A briefing to the employees would be next, especially those actively working in mines, to ensure that the mining company is doing everything possible to prevent this from happening again. This would be an excellent time to point out all of the safeties currently in place and get them inspected. Doing this might trigger some fear in the current workers, but the company will need to push the issue that this is just a precaution; not a “knee jerk” response. Finally an open press conference to the world, pushing out as much detail as is known and what is being done. The company will need to have heartfelt word come from the top of its organization.

After all the meeting and press conferences, the president of the company will need to keep reaching out to those families with any news on the rescue effort. Whether it is news that someone is alive for re-assured hopes, or closure to the loss of a family member, the families will want answers. The employees will need to know the results of the inspections on other mines, and to know that friends and coworkers are safe.

To the families of the miners trapped by the cave-in on 5 August 2010:

It is with my deepest sorrow that I announce to you today, the collapsing of our Copper mine in Copiapó trapping your family members far below the surface. At this moment we are not aware of their condition, and we are making every effort possible to rescue them bring them back safely. Our rescue workers’ currently objective is to locate your loved ones as quickly as possible, and determine the extent of injuries if any. We intend to drill smaller holes first to help find the location of your family members; and once locate them; we will make an attempt to provide food, water, and medical supplies to help sustain their health during the rest of the rescue process. There was an emergency shelter in place in the mine and we are hoping the men made it to the shelter. The shelter has medical supplies and provisions that will last them a few days while we drill back down to them
I have every available rescue worker assisting in matter. I understand you have a lot of questions. I’ll be completely honest and upfront with you; we do not have the answers you want. Once we have more information, we will inform you as soon as possible. These are trying times, and it is not just your fathers, husbands and brothers trapped; those men are part of our family do. We must stick together and see them all out safely. My company and I take on the full responsibility of this tragic accident and I will return your family members to you.

To the employees of the San Estaban Mining Company:

It is with my deepest sorrow that I announce to you today, the collapsing of our copper mine in Copiapó. Currently the cave in has 34 miners trapped and at this moment we are not aware of their condition. We are making every effort possible to rescue them bring them back safely. Our current objective is to locate our miners as quickly as possible, and determine the extent of injuries if any. We intend to drill smaller holes first to help locate them, and then we will make an attempt to provide food, water, and medical supplies to help sustain their health during the rest of the rescue process. As you know there was an emergency shelter in place inside the mine and we are hoping the men made it to the shelter. The shelter has medical supplies and provisions that will last them a few days while we drill back down to them
I have every available rescue worker assisting in matter. During the rescue process we ask that you keep your fellow employees and friends in your thoughts and your prayers. I am suspending all work in all of your mines to conduct a complete review of current safety measures in place to ensure this horrible incident does not repeat itself.

Referencences

Weik, J. (2010, August). Over 30 workers trapped after Chilean copper mine collapse. Metal Bulletin Daily, Issue 224(), 65-65. Retrieved from http://www1.metalbulletin.com
Jara, A. D.L. (n.d.). Chile mine collapse leaves around 30 trapped. Retrieved from http://uk.reuters.com/article/2010/08/06/uk-chile-mine-accident-idUKTRE6750FY20100806
Chile mine collapse traps 34 miners. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-10897327
Associated Press. (2010). Mine collapse traps 34 copper workers in Chile. Retrieved from http://www.boston.com/news/world/latinamerica/articles/2010/08/06/mine_collapse_traps_34_copper_workers_in_chile/