Bcom275_Mining_Disaster

Executive Summary of 30 Chilean Miners Trapped On August 5, 2010, 33 miners were trapped underground in a mine owned by Compania Minera San Esteban Primera in northern Chile. During the next 69 days, the miner’s story is an amazing tale of survival and triumph. In this executive summary family and employee needs are addressed. Additionally, what actions must be taken to ensure the information is being received as intended, and finally, other information that has come to light since the event. Family and Employee Considerations Once the mine owners knew they had workers trapped, their first consideration was to determine exactly who and how many workers were underground. Without question determining the “who” was imperative in reducing the fears and concerns of loved ones. The next task was to notify the families of those trapped in a manner that would not exacerbate their already heightened sense of fear. Notifying each of the 33 workers families in person is the recommended course of action. Doing so quickly and armed with as much information as possible to answer questions is the key. The notification teams must be made up of a company employee with the authority and knowledge to answer questions plus a coworker well versed in relief programs. In this case there is no need to bring a member of the clergy since it could potentially signal no hope. However, for both the families and the company employees, a member of the clergy should be made available on as as-needed basis. Also, setting up a hotline where they can call and get accurate and up-to-date information would be helpful. Without a doubt, seeing to the needs of the families is an intricate part of the process. Understanding, the families worries and yet knowing children’s lives, grocery shopping, and day-to-day activities must continue cannot be overlooked. Finally, try and get the media to concentrate on the actions of the company and the rescue efforts. Make press releases center on the families and recuse operations. Avoid spending too much time on past accidents; there will be ample opportunity to do that after the miners are rescued. The company employees also cannot be forgotten. They to should be “kept in the loop” and allowed to help in anyway possible. Understanding they probably have friends and/or family members trapped should not be overlooked. Employees must be given updated information as they to will be approached by the media. Getting Out the Right Message No company whether big or small must every think they are immune from a possible public relations nightmare. “You will need to deal with the situation head on rather than go into denial. No comment means getting nowhere, except into even more hot water” (Byrne, 2011). Compania Minera San Esteban Primera’s message to the families and the world must be filled with correct facts and come from a centralized source. The worst-case scenario would be to have many people putting out messages and all of them containing bits and pieces of the truth, or inaccuracies. First consideration must be given to the families. Whatever is said in a public forum must be what is said to the families. Avoid “finger pointing” at all costs; it serves no common good at this point. As we know, the world’s media is always looking to assign blame even before the facts become known. The company must avoid be baited into a war of words and always remember the families are listening. The families must know the company; whether right or wrong is doing everything to save loved ones. As was previously mentioned, the employees must not be forgotten in this process. They to deserve to be kept informed and told of updates before hearing them on the local news. Bottom line; keep the messages clear, concise, and easily understandable by the people it is intended for. In this case the families and employees; the rest of the world will understand. The Aftermath Since August 5, 2010 a lot of information has come to light about the safety record of Compania Minera San Esteban Primera and the mine in northern Chile. Evidently in 2007 there was an explosion in the San Jose mine that killed several workers. “Prinera has said the mine should not have been opened without a escape route” (Parry & Rachael Rettner, 2010). Since the rescue of the 33 miners Chile’s congress commissioned an investigation into the incident. The commission’s report “determined that Chile’s mine safety agency was administratively responsible for failing to fully enforce its safety rules” (Associated Press, 2011). In conclusion, the first priority of any disaster must always go to the vicitims, families, and employees of the company. While the world has a right to know, in this case, the needs of the few outweigh the needs of the many. When human life is at stake what is said is equally as important as to what is not said. As the miners were rescused and got on about their lives, work needs to be done to ensure mining, while inhently dangerous, is made as-safe-as possible. References Associated Press. (2011, March 2). Chile's Congress Blames Mine Owners for Accident. Retrieved August 20, 2011, from CBS News World: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/03/02/501364/main20038548.shtml Byrne, M. (2011, August 3). How to Deal with A PR Disaster. Retrieved August 20, 2011, from SME Advisor: http://www.smeadvisor.com/2011/08/how-to-deal-with-a-pr-disaster/ Parry, W., & Rachael Rettner. (2010, August 26). Chile Mine Collapse: Facts About The Amazing Survival Story. Retrieved August 20, 2011, from Live Science: http://www.livescience.com/11169-chile-collapse-facts-amazing-survival-story.html