Fatality Reports
MSHA investigates each mining fatality and prepares the following documents to alert the mining community and prevent similar occurrences.
- Fatality Alert - describes the accident and lists best practices that may have prevented it
- Preliminary Report - initial report with brief description
- Final Report - investigative findings, including root causes and enforcement actions
Related Fatality Information
Some deaths on mining property are determined to be unrelated to mining activity and are not included in MSHA’s fatality statistics - See recent “non-chargeable” fatalities:
Accident Classification: Machinery
Location: Mckinley, NEW MEXICO
Mine Controller: Peabody Energy
Mine Type: Surface
Mined Material: Coal (Bituminous)
Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
Location: Valencia, New Mexico
Mine Controller: Robert Caldwell; Dale Armstrong
Mine Type: Surface
Mined Material: Construction Sand and Gravel
Accident Classification: Machinery
Location: Grant County, NM
Mine Controller: Freeport-McMoRan Inc
Mine Type: Surface
Mined Material: Copper Ore NEC
Accident Classification: Other
Location: Grant County, NM
Mine Controller: Freeport-McMoRan Inc
Mine Type: Surface
Mined Material: Copper Ore NEC
Accident Classification: Hoisting
Location: Grant, New Mexico
Mine Controller: Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc
Mine Type: Surface
Mined Material: Copper Ore NEC
Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
Location: New Mexico
Mine Controller: Kayla Kersey; Dale Armstrong
Mine Type: Surface
Mined Material: Construction Sand and Gravel
Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
Location: New Mexico
Mine Controller: Chevron Corporation
Mine Type: Underground
Mined Material: Molybdenum Ore
Accident Classification: Other
Location: New Mexico
Mine Controller: P&H Mine Pro Services, Inc
Mine Type: Surface
Mined Material: Coal (Bituminous)
The Operator contested both MSHA's jurisdiction and the substance of the citations in this case. During discovery and the litigation process, MSHA learned that it did not have jurisdiction over the road where the fatal accident occurred. The portion of the road was open to the public and not under the control of the Mine Operator. Based on this, MSHA determined that the fatality should be delisted and should not be charged to the mining industry.
Accident Classification: Other
Location: New Mexico
Mine Controller: Freeport-McMoRan Inc
Mine Type: Facility
Mined Material: Copper Ore NEC
Accident Classification: Electrical
Location: New Mexico
Mine Controller: Hugh E Harvey
Mine Type: Underground
Mined Material: Potash