U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government.

Mine Safety and Health Administration
Contact Us FAQ Site Map

Fatality Reports

Lapse in Appropriations

For workplace safety and health, please call 800-321-6742; for mine safety and health, please call 800-746-1553; for Job Corps, please call 800-733-5627 and for Wage and Hour, please call 1-866-487-9243 (1 866-4-US-WAGE).  This website is currently not being updated due to the suspension of Federal government services. The last update to the site was 10/1/2025.  Updates to the site will start again when the Federal government resumes operations.

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:

April 11, 2023 Fatality

Accident Classification: Fall of Roof or Back
Location: Galena - Shoshone, Idaho
Mine Controller: Americas Gold and Silver Corp
Mine Type: Underground
Mined Material: Silver Ore
Preliminary Report for 4/11/2023
Fatality Alert for 4/11/2023
Final Report for 4/11/2023

September 14, 2021 Fatality

Accident Classification: Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock or Material of Any Kind
Location: Butte Gulch - Shoshone, Idaho
Mine Controller: Randy L Rice
Mine Type: Surface
Mined Material: Gold
Preliminary Report for 9/14/2021
Fatality Alert for 9/14/2021
Final Report for 9/14/2021

August 2, 2019 Fatality

Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
Location: Smoky Canyon Mine - Park County, WY
Mine Controller: Scott Simplot
Mine Type: Surface
Mined Material: Phosphate Rock
Preliminary Report for 8/2/2019
Fatality Alert for 8/2/2019
Final Report for 8/2/2019
Public Notice for 8/2/2019

Fatality #10 - October 17, 2017

Accident Classification: Machinery
Location: Fighting Creek Materials Inc - Idaho
Mine Controller: Arthur R Brand
Mine Type: Surface
Mined Material: Crushed Broken Stone NEC
Preliminary Report for 10/17/2017
Fatality Alert for 10/17/2017
Final Report for 10/17/2017
Public Notice for 10/17/2017

Fatality #13 - June 2, 2014

Accident Classification: Hoisting
Location: Sunshine Mine - Idaho
Mine Controller: Sunshine Silver Mines Corp
Mine Type: Underground
Mined Material: Silver Ore
Preliminary Report for 6/2/2014
Fatality Alert for 6/2/2014
Final Report for 6/2/2014
Public Notice for 6/2/2014

Fatality #14 - November 17, 2011

Accident Classification: Slip or Fall of Person
Location: Lucky Friday - Idaho
Mine Controller: Hecla Mining Company
Mine Type: Underground
Mined Material: Silver Ore
Preliminary Report for 11/17/2011
Fatality Alert for 11/17/2011
Final Report for 11/17/2011
Public Notice for 11/17/2011

Fatality #9 - September 13, 2011

Accident Classification: Electrical
Location: Plant #1 - Idaho
Mine Controller: Eucon Corp
Mine Type: Surface
Mined Material: Construction Sand and Gravel
Preliminary Report for 9/13/2011
Fatality Alert for 9/13/2011
Final Report for 9/13/2011
Public Notice for 9/13/2011

Fatality #4 - April 15, 2011

Accident Classification: Fall of Roof or Back
Location: Lucky Friday - Idaho
Mine Controller: Hecla Mining Company
Mine Type: Underground
Mined Material: Silver Ore
Preliminary Report for 4/15/2011
Fatality Alert for 4/15/2011
Final Report for 4/15/2011
Public Notice for 4/15/2011

Fatality #11 - June 18, 2010

Accident Classification: Fall of Roof or Back
Location: Galena - Idaho
Mine Controller: U S Silver & Gold
Mine Type: Underground
Mined Material: Silver Ore
Preliminary Report for 6/18/2010
Fatality Alert for 6/18/2010
Final Report for 6/18/2010