Trapped in a Copper Mine

More than 30 Workers Trapped in Chilean Copper Mine

On August 5, 2010 there are 33 workers were trapped in the Chilean Copper Mine after it collapsed. News and radio stations worldwide covered this story. I believe that there has been proper coverage and communication of the story during this time. The families of the trapped miners should have the first available news regarding their loved ones. The response to the situation should be fast and accurate. During tragic situations, people seem to forget the differences and pull together to help each other.

Two days after the collapse of the mine rescue attempts ran into issues. The workers were sliding in a ventilation tube approximately 2200 feet under the ground where the recue party believed the survivors were. Another collapse obstructed the ventilation tube. It took more than two week for the rescue workers with the first hole to make contact with the 33 survivors. At this point, the rescue workers can communicate and send emergency supply to the trapped workers. The rescue attempt is to widen the hole to pull each person trapped out one by one (Parry & Rettner, 2010).

The President of Chili stated that the collapse is being investigated. In 2007, the San Jose mine had an explosion with several fatalities. The owner is the Compania Minera San Esteban Prinera and National Mining and Geology Service. According to media articles, Prinera stated that the mine should have had an escape path and emergency plan before it reopened (Parry & Rettner, 2010).

On October 4, 2010, the Associated Press announces that the President of Chili said that his government is close to rescuing the 33 miners, and he hopes he can attend the rescue before his trip to Europe. The first expected date for the rescue was to hope for before Christmas. Now the Chilean President has changed the date to the middle of October. His trip is scheduled October 15 – 22 (The Associated Press, 2010).

President Pinera told The...