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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 might 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:

  • August 15, 2019 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Electrical
    Location: Cote Blanche Mine, Iberia County, LA
    Mine Controller: Compass Minerals International Inc
    Mine Type: Underground
    Mined Material: Salt
  • August 7, 2019 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Electrical
    Location: South Hollow Prep Plant and Loadout, Kanawha County, WV
    Mine Controller: Blackhawk Mining LLC
    Mine Type: Facility
    Mined Material: Coal (Bituminous)
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
    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: 
    John Stone, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 304-320-2967

  • 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
    Fatality Alert
    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: 
    Clayton Johnson, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 1-303-231-5465

  • July 31, 2019 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Ignition or Explosion of Gas or Dust
    Location: Paradise #9, Muhlenberg County, KY
    Mine Controller: Robert E Murray
    Mine Type: Underground
    Mined Material: Coal (Bituminous)
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
    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: 
    Adam Carlisle, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 270-821-4180, ext 1234

  • July 17, 2019 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Machinery
    Location: Northeast Aggregate Corporation, Franklin County, VT
    Mine Controller: Marie Charbonneau
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Crushed Broken Stone NEC
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
    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: 
    Everett G. Kinser, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 724-772-2334

  • June 24, 2019 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
    Location: East Sand Plant, Oklahoma County, OK
    Mine Controller: Dolese Brothers Company
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Sand Common
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
    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: 
    Mike Dunlap, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 214-767-8401

  • June 10, 2019 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
    Location: River Road Quarry, Davidson County, TN
    Mine Controller: Vulcan Materials Company
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Crushed Broken Limestone NEC
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
    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: 
    Roy M. Smith​, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 205-290-7601

  • May 22, 2019 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Fall of Face, Rib, Side or Highwall
    Location: CVB No 1, Harlan County, KY
    Mine Controller: Joseph T Bennett
    Mine Type: Underground
    Mined Material: Coal (Bituminous)
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
    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: 
    Ricky L. Suffridge, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 606.439.2396

  • May 18, 2019 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
    Location: West Amarillo Sand & Gravel , Oldham County, Texas
    Mine Controller: Rogers Group Inc
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: construction sand & gravel
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
    Final Report
    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: 
    Dwight Shields, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: (214) 767-8401

  • May 13, 2019 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
    Location: Gold Bar, Eureka County, NV
    Mine Controller: Rob McEwen
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Gold Ore

    Rescission Date:  June 26, 2019

    The Acting Chair of MSHA’s Chargeability Review Committee reviewed the death certificate, autopsy report, and MSHA's accident investigation findings and determined that the miner died from natural causes.  The  fatality is not chargeable to the mining industry.
  • May 13, 2019 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Machinery
    Location: MILLSTONE QUARRY, Oglethorpe County, GA
    Mine Controller: Robert E Paul
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Dimension Granite
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
    Final Report
    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: 
    James M. Hollis, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: (859) 276-1384

  • March 7, 2019 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Machinery
    Location: South Fork Coal Co LLC HWM 61 , Greenbrier County, West Virginia
    Mine Controller: White Forest Resources Inc
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Coal (Bituminous)
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
    Final Report
    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: 
    Frank Stover, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 304.222.6745

  • March 7, 2019 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Slip or Fall of Person
    Location: Balcones Quarry, Comal County, TX
    Mine Controller: Cemex S A
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Crushed Broken Limestone NEC
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
    Final Report
    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: 
    Wes Hackworth, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 214.767.8401

  • March 6, 2019 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Machinery
    Location: TYRONE MINE, Grant County, NM
    Mine Controller: Freeport-McMoRan Inc
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Copper Ore NEC
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
    Final Report
    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: 
    Robert Seelke , Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 214.767.8401

  • January 14, 2019 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
    Location: Toms Fork Mine, Bell County, KY
    Mine Controller: Jack Stump; Micheal Runyon
    Mine Type: Underground
    Mined Material: Coal (Bituminous)
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
    Final Report
    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: 
    Rick Suffridge, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 606.233.6424

  • January 5, 2019 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Machinery
    Location: Mine No. 1, Hamilton County, IL
    Mine Controller: Alliance Resource Partners LP
    Mine Type: Underground
    Mined Material: Coal (Bituminous)
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
    Final Report
    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: 
    Brandon Naas, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 618.997.0584

  • Fatality #11 - December 29, 2018
    Accident Classification: Machinery
    Location: Centralia Coal Mine, Centralia, Lewis County, WA
    Mine Controller: Trans Alta Corp
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Coal (Bituminous)
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
    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: 
    Benjamin C. Burns , Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 707.447.9844

  • Fatality #10 - December 20, 2018
    Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
    Location: North Fork, Somerset County, PA
    Mine Controller: AK Steel Holding Corporation
    Mine Type: Underground
    Mined Material: Coal (Bituminous)
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
    Final Report
    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: 
    Richard Gindlesperger​, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 814.266.0008, ext.103

  • Fatality #9 - December 11, 2018
    Accident Classification: Fall of Face, Rib, Side or Highwall
    Location: Little Spring Creek Mine, Walker County, AL
    Mine Controller: Freddy Hunt; Michael T Costello
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Coal (Bituminous)
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
    Final Report
    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: 
    Jarvis Westery, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 205.305.1640

  • Fatality #12 - November 29, 2018
    Accident Classification: Machinery
    Location: W M P I, Gilberton, Schuylkill County, PA
    Mine Controller: John W Rich Jr
    Mine Type: Facility
    Mined Material: Coal (Anthracite)
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
    Final Report
    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: 
    Thomas Leshko, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 570.874.8980 ext. 2120

  • Fatality #16 - November 11, 2018
    Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
    Location: Pete Bajo, Eureka County, NV
    Mine Controller: Newmont Mining Corp
    Mine Type: Underground
    Mined Material: Gold Ore
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
    Final Report
    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: 
    Patrick L. Barney, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 707.447.9844

  • Fatality #15 - November 3, 2018
    Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
    Location: O-N Minerals, Cedarville Operation, Mackinac County, MI
    Mine Controller: Carmeuse Holding SA
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Crushed Broken Limestone NEC
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
    Final Report
    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: 
    Thaddeus Sichmeller , Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 218.720.5448

  • Fatality #14 - October 25, 2018
    Accident Classification: Fall of Roof or Back
    Location: Lee Smith Mine, Elko County, NV
    Mine Controller: Keith Jones
    Mine Type: Underground
    Mined Material: Gold Ore
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
    Final Report
    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: 
    Steve Rodgers, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 707.447.9844

  • Fatality #13 - October 25, 2018
    Accident Classification: Other
    Location: Chino Mines Co Mine, Grant County, NM
    Mine Controller: Freeport-McMoRan Inc
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Copper Ore NEC
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
    Final Report
    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: 
    Erin Estrada, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 214.767.8401

  • Fatality #12 - October 19, 2018
    Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
    Location: MCGREGOR, Flathead County, MT
    Mine Controller: Brad Mercord; Bill Carter
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Dimension Stone NEC
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
    Final Report
    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: 
    Ernesto Vasquez , Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 303.231.5465

  • Fatality #8 - October 17, 2018
    Accident Classification: Machinery
    Location: No. 1 Surface Mine, Greenbrier County, WV
    Mine Controller: Frederick J Taylor
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Coal (Bituminous)
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
    Final Report
    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: 
    Russell Richardson, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 304.877.3900 ext 176

  • Fatality #11 - October 11, 2018
    Accident Classification: Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock or Material of Any Kind
    Location: Jet Mist tm Quarry, Culpeper County, VA
    Mine Controller: Antonio C Ramos
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Dimension Granite
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
    Final Report
    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: 
    Michael Wynkoop , Lead Investigator:  
    Phone:724.772.2334

  • Fatality #10 - October 2, 2018
    Accident Classification: Exploding Vessels Under Pressure
    Location: Empire State Mines, St Lawrence Count, NY
    Mine Controller: Augusta Group Company
    Mine Type: Underground
    Mined Material: Lead-Zinc Ore
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
    Final Report
    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: 
    Thomas Shilling, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 724.772.2334

  • Fatality #6 - September 11, 2018
    Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
    Location: Kocjancic, Jefferson County, PA
    Mine Controller: J Clifford Forrest III
    Mine Type: Underground
    Mined Material: Coal (Bituminous)
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
    Final Report
    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: 
    James Miller, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone:724.465.5591  ext. 18

  • Fatality #7 - September 7, 2018
    Accident Classification: Fire
    Location: Bear Run Mine, Sullivan County, IN
    Mine Controller: Peabody Energy
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Coal Bituminous
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
    Final Report
    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: 
    Bub Whitfield​, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 812.882.7617

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