Chile Mining Accident
BCOM/275
2/20/2012
Michael Strozzo

Chile Mining Accident

When dealing with life changing tragedies you have to strategize the way you deliver the news or message to loved ones. When a situation occurs at a business level there are chains of commands and protocols that are in place. If there is family and media involvement you have to be very particular on how credible and valid your information is. Actions have to be in place to ensure no miscommunications. The person appointed to deliver the message has to know audience and be good representative for the company. The owners of a Chilean Cooper Mine were faced with natural disaster in 2010, there mine caved in and left 33 workers trapped for 2 months. They were faced with delivering the message worldwide.

A gold and copper mine near the northern city of Copiapó, Chile caved in, trapping 33 miners in a chamber about 2,300 feet below the surface. For 17 days, there was no word on their fate. As the days passed, Chileans grew increasingly skeptical that any of the miners had survived — let alone all of them. But when a small bore hole reached the miners’ refuge, they sent up a message telling rescuers they were still alive. (Chile Mining Accident 2010). For 17 days families, employees and the media were all skeptical if the miners were still alive. Many families were concerned and anxious for answers. At the time of relaying the message to families their cant be any miscommunications due to the sensitivity of the subject. Credible information needs to be delivered. Before answering and deposing of information all sources have to be verified. Any incorrect information can be a quick lawsuit. Employees need to be informed immediately. The employees need to also know that the company is supportive of them, as well as the ones in danger. The employees need to know the company protocols for future disasters. It’s vital that all area of doubt is covered. Your audience will evaluate and make judgments on their beliefs. They will question if all expectations were met and exceeeded.

In the beginning of a tragedy the mining company would report to the news media, families and employees. With little information the mining company needs to express sympathy and emotions to what took place. Being that this took place in Chile there is a variety of cultural people. How the message is translated has to be taken into consideration. The spokesperson delivering the message will always have to know that the reputation of the company is in the accuracy of his/her words. Updates on the tragedy are important, this ensures that the families are at ease with all actions talking place. Making sure every bit of information is presented. Families are going through difficulty times and having mix emotions. They feel pain, a sense of loss, and frustration, by providing support and understanding their needs will help them cope better.

Many investigations took place to ensure that the miners were safe before the incident. Many questions were asked and many skeptical assumptions were expressed. The owners were interviewed. Knowing your audience and being prepared only helps you deliver a clearer valid message. In this tragedy the miners were lucky and families were brought to ease. On Oct. 13, 2010, 33 miners who had been trapped underground for more than two months all returned to the surface after a successful rescue operation that inspired Chile and riveted the world. The miners traveled up a narrow, nearly half-mile rescue shaft in a specially designed capsule. The final phase of the long rescue effort took roughly 22 hours. Luis Urzúa, the shift leader who lives while they were underground, was the last to come up. (Chile Mining Accident 2010). When presented with a tragedy know your audience. Take into consideration all aspects for example, culture, originations, employees, families, and media. Reassure your credibility and max out all resources. Express your emotions and sympathy towards the situation. Provide protocols to tackle any future tragedies and provide this information to the employees. Provide resources to the families and give daily updates on the actions taking place. Make sure the spokesperson is sharpe and can represent the company. These are all ways of knowing your audience and actions on relaying a message.

Reference topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/subjects/c/chile_mining_accident_2010/ Families: email and media Families my dearest condolences are with you at this time. A natural disaster has occurred where one of our mines caved in leaving 33 trapped. We are currently unsure of the status of the miners but rests assure we will not sleep until we find them. I have contacted all resources to help us in this recovery. We are here to help you and provide support.

Media- news and face to face Breaking news today in Chile on of the mines in the northern part caved in leaving 33 miners trapped. We are currently investigating what took place and doing every thing we can to bring these miners to safety.