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The Chilean Copper Mine

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33 Miners Trapped in Chilean Copper Mine In the event of a disaster it is important that the information about it gets out as quickly and as effectively as possible. To make this possible it is important that we know as much about the audience as we do about the accident. When dealing with a multicultural audience this can be a difficult task, since we have to take into account any language barriers, how the information will be received. In this paper we will be discussing the method that the Chilean Copper Mine used after the accident that happened on Thursday, August 5th, 2010. How the Chilean Copper Mine communicates to the families of the miners, their employees and to the local community is very important. What they say will have an impact on everyone involved. The 5th of August, 2010, in the northern area of Copiapo, Chile is where the Chilean Copper Mine is located. The Chilean Copper Mine collapsed and on that fateful Thursday, 33 miners became trapped inside this was reported by The New York Times (New York Times, 2010). The miners were trapped in an area of the mine which was 2,300 feet below the surface. The 33 miners were trapped below ground for almost two months. It would be easy to understand why the Chilean Copper Mining Company was being skeptical about the possibilities of there being any survivors. During this time the Chilean Copper Mining Company was having a hard time keeping the families of the trapped miners reassured, some were having a hard time understanding how this could happen to their husbands. Keeping the employees calm and reassured that the Chilean Copper Mining Company was doing everything possible to get the miners out, this was their top priority. The Chilean Copper Mining Company had developed an emergency way to communicate with the families, employees and the local community in a delicate way (Roger, E.M., & Steinfatt, T.M., 1999). This was done so they could keep everyone up to date on the trapped miner’s health and their condition and on how the rescue operations were going. The collapsing of the mine affected everyone in whole community, the employees, and the families. This was also a very emotional time for all involved. At this time the Chilean Copper Mining Company was dealing with family members, employees, the community which is comprised of different backgrounds and beliefs than ours. As we continue to help in giving information it is important that we do not scare the family members with any talk about the miners not surviving the collapsed mine. In developing communication strategies for the families and the community it would be best to do a face-to-face meeting. This could come in a briefing at a site suitable for everyone or as a press conference with all parties present. With this system set up the Chilean Copper Mining Company would be able to keep the families and community updated on any and all news concerning the trapped miners. This strategy will make the families of the Chilean Copper Mining Company miners feel reassured that everything was being done to bring the miners out. This news from the company’s press information personnel needs to be sensitive in nature and informative to make the families feel at ease about what is being done. As the families and community set up close to the Chilean Copper mines to wait for additional news about their loved ones they will need to be given additional resources and constant updates about the rescue effort. Some may need counseling on how to handle the situation, and have religious resources available for them as well. While the rescue operations are still under way according to Today’s News (Today’s News, 2010). The families would be constantly informed of the miner’s condition and would be informed immediately upon any change in any of the miner’s health. The Chilean Copper Mining Company could use every chance they get to make sure that the families know they will be updated at all times and they are there to help anyone that needs helping as long as the rescue operations are ongoing. This goes to show how important information is given out on a sensitive topic. When addressing an audience it is important to make sure the message is delivered so that the audience can understand and be given constant updates. This will give the press personnel the chance to become familiar with the different cultures and offer reassuring the families by telling them how the rescue procedures are going. They will be able to give updates on any news about the trapped miners, such as when and how any special equipment will be arriving to help with the rescue operations.
Communication Releases: The company could send out an e-mail or a memorandum to its employees. In this type of communication the company could explain its policy and procedures to do the rescue operation and how it will notify the miner’s families according to Today’s News (Today’s News, 2010). This type of communication will include the progress of the rescue operation, procedures that are being taken, the rescue plan, updates of the rescue operation and the miner’s health. The family members and employees should be addressed directly from the company letting them know what is being done for the trapped miners and what they will do for the ones that need counseling and help of any kind. They should also offer these services even after the miners have been rescued and on the surface again according to the Metal Bulletin Daily (Metal Bulletin Daily, 2010).

References
The New York Times (2010). 33 Trapped Miners in Chile Say They're Alive.
Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/23/world/americas/23chile.html
Today’s News. (2010). Trapped Chilean Miners.
Retrieved from http://today.msnbc.msn.com/.../trapped-Chilean-miners-told-rescue-could
Metal Bulletin Daily; 8/6/2010, Issue 224, p65-65, 1p
Roger, E.M., & Steinfatt, T.M. (1999). Intercultural Communication. Prospect Heights, IL: Waverland Press.

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