Finding the mine's owners overwhelmed by Chile's worst mining accident in decades, he ordered his government to take charge and called in experts from Codelco, the big state-owned copper producer.

ECONOMIST: Chile's mine rescue

The latest mining accident shows that dangers persist.

FORBES: America's Most Dangerous Jobs

The accident has had no effect on the open mining pit at Grasberg, he adds.

BBC: Freeport's Grasberg copper mine

In West Virginia's coal mining communities this weekend, funeral services are being held for victims of the Sago Mine accident this past week.

NPR: Life in a Mining Town