As much of the world watched the dramatic rescue of trapped miners in Chile, some in China wondered whether their country would have gone to such lengths.

 

China, one of the world's largest producers and consumers of coal, also has one of the world's deadliest records for miners. News of the injury and deaths of miners appears regularly in state media. Other reports include tainted air and water and weakened dams because of questionable mining tactics

 

In China last year, 2,631 miners were killed on the job. In contrast, only 53 US miners died in 2008.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/10/13/china.mining/index.html?eref=mrss_igoogle_world

 

World explodes in joy as Chile miners emerge

SAN JOSE MINE, Chile—A global audience watched captivated as the miners’ rescue operation got under way. People logged on and tuned in to read, watch and listen as they emerged from the depths of the earth.

 

A CNN report described the mine as deeper than the height of the Empire State Building in New York City which is 1,250 feet or 381 meters.

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IMO and to make a very long story short, their success was determined by leadership, not to say failures are a result of lacking leadership.

 

The minors themselves had some good leadership (think the shift foreman being credited) by establishing a plan and once found the President of Chili "Sebastian Pinera" literally took charge, saying those minors would be recovered alive, no questions aloud.

 

As for us billion or so watching the event, it was as inspirational as anything in my lifetime (minor event), to how human kind could react, with a little more of this style leadership. What impressed me, aside from the leadership, was the Chilean Patriotism shown. A 20 year old return to democracy, having had so many problems, including a recent major earthquake. I hope this was noticed by many in South America, whom seem to be trending socialistic.

I'm not sure what we're being asked to comment on here.