Chile "inspired the world" with its rescue of 33 miners this week, US President Barack Obama told his Chilean counterpart Sebastian Pinera in a phone call Thursday, dpa reported.
Obama also hailed the rescue "as a tribute ... to the determination of the rescue workers," according to a statement released by the White House.
Pinera expressed thanks to Obama, the US government and American companies and individuals who provided support for the rescue, the statement said.
The drill bit that reached the underground rescue staging area first - one of three that were deployed at the same time - was provided by a small Pennsylvania drilling company, Center Rock Inc, which also provided equipment in the 2002 Pennsylvania mine rescue at Quecreek Mine that saved nine miners.
The US space programme also provided psychological and nutritional advice for the miners during their 69-day ordeal.
The last miner emerged late Wednesday from the depths.