METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On March 4, 1998, a 47 year old miner with 21 years of mining experience was fatally injured at an underground copper mine. The victim was one of three miners installing raise station pony sets. While preparing to lift one of the caps onto the post, a fall of ground occurred, fatally injuring one miner and seriously injuring a second.

Ground conditions which are hazardous to persons should be scaled or provided with temporary supports.

This is the tenth fatality reported in calendar year 1998 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 1997, there were 14 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the second fatality classified as Fall of Roof in 1998. There were two Fall of Roof fatalities in the same period in 1997.

MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report