Successful Chile mine rescue

Media release

Brussels

14 October 2010

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd today welcomed news of the successful rescue of all 33 miners, trapped for the past two months, near Copiapó in Chile's Atacama Desert.

Mr Rudd conveyed to the Chilean Ambassador, HE Mr Pedro Pablo Diaz Herrera, Australia's best wishes to the rescued miners and their families.

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd described the rescue effort as an inspirational story of endurance and ingenuity, and a triumph of the human spirit that has captured the global imagination.

“The Chilean Government should be congratulated on the professional and compassionate manner it handled the rescue and the way it drew together expertise from around the world to ensure the success of a complex operation,” Mr Rudd said.

Mr Rudd said he was pleased that Australians had been able to contribute to the rescue effort, including through the involvement of BHP Billiton, Xstrata Copper, Reflex, AMC and Coal Services, under the overall coordination of Codelco, the Chilean national mining company.

“Australia is a world leader in mining industry, including in the critical areas of mine safety and mine rescue management. Our technology, our companies and our experts have been working alongside Chilean and other international rescuers, playing an important role in the operation.

 “The involvement of Australians in the Copiapó mine rescue effort is symbolic of the strong and expanding relationship between Australia and Chile. We share increasing commercial and people-to-people ties and we are like-minded on many of the most important international issues.”

Australia is the fourth largest investor in Chile's mining sector. The Australian Government offered support and assistance to Chile immediately following the Copiapó mine collapse on 5 August through the Australian Embassy in Santiago.

Media enquiries