“Over 30 Workers Trapped After Chilean Copper Mine Collapse” Kevin Ivery BCOM275 September 30, 2013 University of Phoenix “Over 30 Workers Trapped After Chilean Copper Mine Collapse” Technology played an important role in the communication of the 33 miners that were trapped for 69 days underground. All types of communication were used from live minute to minute news coverage to the world tweeting about the collapse on twitter. With television, radio it is easy to sensor the communication do the strict guidelines these agency have concerning tragic events. The reporters delivering the news ensure that what they are communicating is accurate information. Understand that the workers family and coworkers are worried about the miner’s survival. In larger incidents, such as this the information must be controlled to keep panic at a minimum. Communication efforts to the miners are equally important. There were numerous measured taken to ensure the miners mental fortitude. There was a bore hole that allowed the miners to let the world know that the miners are alive. This communication came 17 days later after all thought the 33 miners had parish. The rescuers lowered a video camera down to the miners this communicated to the people up above that the miners were in good health. The miners exchanged letters to their family and friends through the bore hole as well. The family members were also allowed to talk to the miners via a phone they was dropped through the bore hole. They sent board games and cards so that the miners could occupy themselves so they could stay in good faith. The Chilean government gathered advice from NASA on how to survive during isolation. NASA recommended that the rescuers develop a plan in order for the trapped miners to stay health. First the miners had to setup up day and night sleep patterns. Second the miners had to increase their vitamin D intake. Finally the rescuers had to phase in an exercise plan. These efforts ensured the trapped miners would stay physically and mentally healthy. The first communication to the miner’s family told them that it was unknown to the status of the miners that were missing. The names and pictures circulated through every channel of communication. This placed an emotion strain on the miner’s family. 17 days later the families of the miners gets news that the trapped miners are alive. This message regarding the miners stirred new hope with the families and the world. San Esteban is the company of the trapped miners. With a major incident such as this one, people would think the company is liable. According, to the spoke person for the company it was communicated that the company could not pay the workers for the workers lost wages. This was do the enormous lawsuits because of the collapse mine. The company asks the Chilean government to cover the lost wages of the employees who was not trapped. San Esteban mining company did not help in the rescue efforts to free the 33 miners. San Esteban mining company settles out of court on a previous incident where a miner was killed in 2007. This same mine was shut down for a year to improve workers’ safety throughout the mine. The Chilean resident is blaming the government for the poor safety condition. The mine reopened without complying with the new regulation standards. The company is under father investigation. There are many things that need to take place to have effective communication dealing with an incident of this magnitude. Sympathy must be conveyed in every form of communication. The mining company, reporters, and the millions of citizens’ worldwide need to understand that saying the wrong thing could cause harm. Harm to the rescue efforts and harm to the family of the trapped miners. If someone would have stated via twitter after August 17, 2010 that the miners had parish would have been devastating to the family. Possessing a valid source of information was crucial to the rescuers of the trapped miners. Camp hope was set up for this reason. Camp Hope allowed the family of the trapped miners to stay on site. This allowed them to gain firsthand knowledge of the rescue attempts via face-to- face communication with the rescuers.

References: The New York Times (2011). Chile Mining Accident Retrieved from http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/c/chile_mining_accident_20 10/index.html Op-Ed Contributor (2011). Chile’s Captive Audience Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/02/opinion/02skarmeta.html?ref=chileminingaccident2010&_r=0 Brooks, B (2010). Drilling begins in effort to free Chilean miners Retrieved from http://www.nbcnews.com/id/38923900/ns/world_news-americas/t/drilling-begins-effort-free-chilean-miners/ Premgman, P (2010). NASA's advice to trapped Chile miners: sleep exercise, vitamin Retrieved from http://www.nbcnews.com/id/39000893/ns/world_news-americas/t/nasas-advice-trapped-chile-miners-sleep-exercise-vitamin-d/ msnbc.com (2010) Time, heat could take toll on trapped miners Retrieved from http://www.nbcnews.com/id/38816833/ns/world_news-americas/t/time-heat-could-take-toll-trapped-miners/ News Conference Today August 5, 2010 we just learned that a mine in Northern Chile collapsed. There are 33 missing miners. We will continue to bring you breaking news when we receive it. We will not release the names of the men who are missing at this time until there family members have been contacted. The reason behind the collapse is unknown to us at this time. August 22, 2010 We have just received word that there are 33 men trapped in the collapse mine in northern Chile. A hole was drilled some 2300 ft down where the miners were expected to be. The miners attached a piece of paper to the end of the drill which stated we are all alive. It is said rescue attempts will take up to 4 months. The Chilean government is seeking advice from NASA on ways to keep the miners alive until the rescue is complete. Every effort is being made to keep the miners morale up and healthy. A video camera has been lowered so that the miners will be able to communicate with family members. Once again all 33 miners that were missing are alive.

Communication to Family and Co-workers Today August 5, 2010 the mine collapsed where your loved ones work. At this time it is unknown where they are located at in the mine. We believe that they are located 2300 ft down in a small cavern. We will attempt to bore a hole down to their location which will take approximately 3 weeks. The names of the miners missing are;(list their names). We are doing everything in our power to find your love ones.

August 22, 2010 The miners trapped are all alive. When we pulled the drill up that was used to drill the hole, a piece of paper was attached it read WE ARE ALIVE. We are working around the clock to free your love ones. The Chilean government is seeking advice from NASA on ways to keep the men alive until the rescue is complete. Every effort is being made to keep the men morale up and healthy. A video camera has been lowered so that the men can send you all a video message. We are configuring a telephone so you can talk to your love ones directly. We are making every attempt to free the men as quickly as possible.