Chile Mine

Chilean Copper Mine

On August 5, 2010, it was discovered that 33 brave men were trapped inside of a copper mine in Chile. Not knowing the fate of these miners, a rescue team was quickly established. The fate of these men would lie on total strangers that joined together to help search and rescue these missing men. This disaster had gained national attention and notoriety all over the world. Once it was established that these miners were still alive, media outlets such as radio and television stations began to release daily reports on the status of the miners. Given the nature of this occurrence, a worldwide audience had tuned in to these media outlets for the latest news. Family and close friends of these miners were standing at the ready for constant updates. The miners would be trapped underground for more than two months before they were successfully rescued.

The Chilean Mine Company was obligated to first notify families and employees about the situation, reassure them and keep them abreast of the events as they unfolded. They had to disperse information quickly, accurately and effectively in order to avoid confrontations and chaos. Secondly, The Chilean Mine Company would have to address the community and the world at large. This would not be an easy task as the company had to take into consideration that this was a sensitive matter. They had to be careful so as not to appear skeptical at the possibility of survivors, whilst keeping employees, families and everyone else calm and reassured that they are doing everything in their power to rescue the miners.

When dealing with families, the company has to be mindful that this is an emotional time for them. A face-to-face meeting would be best as it is very personal and demonstrates that the company is sincere and cares for the welfare of the family. An open channel of communication must be set up so that families can get a blow by blow report of the rescue operation. These families also need to be provided with food and shelter and constant reassurance that the company is diligently working towards getting the miners out. They also need to be made aware that in the event that there is a loss of one of their loved ones, the company will ensure that their every need is met within reason. One thing that the company has to be careful about is a breakdown in communication. The information has to be delivered clearly and concisely so that everyone understands what is being relayed and nothing is being distorted.

Whenever a disaster occurs within a company, employees need to be informed quickly. If not, false information could be spread amongst other employees that may lead to confusion and low morale in the company. A memo or an email needs to be sent out with details such as what occurred, when it occurred, what is being done to resolve the matter and how it is progressing. Just like with the families, employees need reassurance and need