January 16, 2021 Fatality
Public Notice
This posting serves to provide a public notice to employees of the mine, employees of the mining company(s), employees of independent contractors with any connection to the mine, persons with any connection to the mine, and any person with information regarding the cause or contributing factors of this accident. Please provide any information to:
Mathew Johnson, Lead Investigator:
Phone: 1-707-447--9844
Preliminary Report
Two drillers were preparing to lower the mast on a surface bench drill to stow it before moving. The victim placed a j-wrench on the hammer bit to remove it and the drill turned, pinning the victim's right leg between the j-wrench and the mast. The other driller reversed the rotation, freeing the victim. Medics transported the victim to the site clinic, but he succumbed to his injuries.
Fatality Alert
MINE FATALITY – On Jan. 16, 2021, a miner was fatally injured while using a tool to remove a down-the-hole hammer. The drill motor turned unexpectedly, pinning the driller’s leg between the tool and the drill mast.