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February 12, 2025 Fatality - Fatality Alert


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Accident Report: Fatality Reference

MINE FATALITY – On February 12, 2025, a miner died when the ground beneath the drilling rig he was operating failed, causing it to overturn and fall off the highwall.

Accident scene where a miner died when the ground beneath the drilling rig he was operating failed, causing it to overturn and fall off the highwall.

Best Practices

  • Examine highwalls and correct hazardous conditions before beginning work and as ground conditions warrant.
  • Be aware of changes from the freeze and thaw cycles affecting the condition of the highwall.
  • Operate mobile drills perpendicular to the edge of the highwall.
  • Monitor work activities to ensure miners follow safe work procedures.
  • Train equipment operators to identify hazardous highwall conditions.

Additional Information

This is the sixth fatality reported in 2025, and the second classified as “Machinery.”