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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

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: Academy Black - Clovis, CA
Mine Controller: Patrick Alexander
Mine Type: Surface
Mined Material: Dimension Granite
Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
Location: Silver Lake Mine - San Bernardino, California
Mine Controller: Scott R Descher
Mine Type: Surface
Mined Material: Iron Ore
MSHA was informed of a miner’s death at the Silver Lake Mine in San Bernardino, CA. MSHA’s investigation team conducted an examination of the scene, interviewed miners and mine management, and reviewed relevant conditions and work practices. The investigation did not reveal any environmental, physical, or violative conditions that contributed to the accident. Therefore, MSHA referred this matter to the agency’s Chargeability Review Committee which reviewed the death certificate and MSHA's accident investigation findings and determined that the fatality is not chargeable to the mine operator.
Accident Classification: Fire
Location: Littlerock Quarry - Los Angeles California
Mine Controller: Robar Enterprises Inc
Mine Type: Surface
Mined Material: Construction Sand and Gravel
Accident Classification: Machinery
Location: Chula Vista Quarry - San Diego, California
Mine Controller: Vulcan Materials Company
Mine Type: Surface
Mined Material: Construction Sand and Gravel
Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
Location: Mojave Plant & Quarry - Kern, California
Mine Controller: Taiheiyo Cement Corp
Mine Type: Facility
Mined Material: Cement
Accident Classification: Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock or Material of Any Kind
Location: HJ Hove - Riverside, California
Mine Controller: Robar Enterprises Inc
Mine Type: Surface
Mined Material: Construction Sand and Gravel
Accident Classification: Slip or Fall of Person
Location: Tehachapi Plant - Kern, California
Mine Controller: Heidelberg Cement AG
Mine Type: Facility
Mined Material: Cement
Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
Location: Permanente Cement Plant & Quarry - California
Mine Controller: Heidelberg Cement AG
Mine Type: Facility
Mined Material: Cement
Accident Classification: Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock or Material of Any Kind
Location: Knife River Construction Vernalis Plant - California
Mine Controller: MDU Resources Group Inc
Mine Type: Surface
Mined Material: Construction Sand and Gravel
Accident Classification: Slip or Fall of Person
Location: Lebec Cement Plant - California
Mine Controller: Vicat S A
Mine Type: Facility
Mined Material: Cement
(Victim Died October 19, 2013)
Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
Location: Stevens Creek Quarry - California
Mine Controller: Richard Voss
Mine Type: Surface
Mined Material: Crushed, Broken Stone NEC
Accident Classification: Machinery
Location: North Pit - California
Mine Controller: Tony Cruse
Mine Type: Surface
Mined Material: Construction Sand and Gravel
Accident Classification: Explosives and Breaking Agents
Location: Discovery Day Mine - California
Mine Controller: Trinity Alps Resources Inc.
Mine Type: Underground
Mined Material: Gold Ore
Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
Location: Tehachapi Plant - California
Mine Controller: Heidelberg Cement AG
Mine Type: Facility
Mined Material: Cement
Accident Classification: Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock or Material of Any Kind
Location: Redlands Rock Plant - California
Mine Controller: Matich Corp
Mine Type: Surface
Mined Material: Construction Sand and Gravel
Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
Location: Lake Herman Quarry - California
Mine Controller: James M Syar
Mine Type: Surface
Mined Material: Crushed, Broken Stone NEC
Accident Classification: Slip or Fall of Person
Location: Oro Grande Quarry - California
Mine Controller: Taiheiyo Cement Corp
Mine Type: Facility
Mined Material: Cement