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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
(**Please be advised, when searching by Mined Material, a particular material might be listed more than once**)

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:

  • June 3, 2021 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
    Location: Horse Creek Eagle, Raleigh, West Virginia
    Mine Controller: Alpha Metallurgical Resources Inc
    Mine Type: Underground
    Mined Material: Coal (Bituminous)
    Preliminary Report
  • June 2, 2021 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Fall of Face, Rib, Side or Highwall
    Location: Marion County Mine, Marion, West Virginia
    Mine Controller: ACNR Holdings Inc
    Mine Type: Underground
    Mined Material: Coal (Bituminous)
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
  • May 14, 2021 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Fall of Roof or Back
    Location: Kocjancic, Jefferson, Pennsylvania
    Mine Controller: J Clifford Forrest III
    Mine Type: Underground
    Mined Material: Coal (Bituminous)
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert
  • January 22, 2021 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
    Mine Controller: Alpha Metallurgical Resources Inc
    Mined Material: Coal (Bituminous)
    Preliminary Report
    Fatality Alert

    Chargeback Information:
    On January 22, 2021, a miner was injured in a powered haulage accident at Aracoma Coal Company, Davy Branch Mine. The miner died on February 21, 2021. Because of the circumstances surrounding the accident, MSHA referred the accident to the Agency’s Chargeability Review Committee (Committee). On May 11, 2021, the Committee determined that the death should be chargeable to the mining industry. 
  • November 23, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
    Location: American Eagle Mine, Kanawha, WV
    Mine Controller: Sev.en Energy AG
    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: 
    Josh McNeely, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 304-877-3900

  • October 27, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Fall of Roof or Back
    Location: Williamstown Mine #1, Dauphin, Pennsylvania
    Mine Controller: Scott B Kimmel
    Mine Type: Underground
    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: 
    Jason Boring, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 724-925-5150

  • October 13, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
    Location: Cardinal, Hopkins, Kentucky
    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: 
    Matthew B Stone, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 270-821-4180

  • October 9, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Machinery
    Location: Mine #3, Bell, Kentucky
    Mine Controller: Douglas S Warriner; Michael A Blubaugh
    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: 
    Dannie Lewis​, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 606-627-2537

  • February 27, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
    Location: Federal No 2, West Virginia
    Mine Controller: Patriot Coal Corporation
    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: 
    Joedy Gutta, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 304 -225-6879

  • February 10, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
    Location: Brush Valley, Pennsylvania
    Mine Controller: J Clifford Forrest III
    Mined Material: Coal (Bituminous)

    Rescission Date:  August 5, 2020
    MSHA’s Chargeability Review Committee reviewed the death certificate, autopsy report, medical information, and MSHA's accident investigation findings and determined that the miner died from natural causes.  The  fatality is not chargeable to the mine operator.
  • December 23, 2019 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Machinery
    Location: Marshall County Mine, Marshall County, WV
    Mine Controller: Robert E Murray
    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: 
    Louis Bernatowicz, Lead Investigator
    Phone: 304-225-6877

  • October 18, 2019 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Fall of Face, Rib, Side or Highwall
    Location: #1, Floyd, Kentucky
    Mine Controller: Harold E Akers: Jim D Akers
    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: 
    Saul Akers, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 606-263-7127

  • September 17, 2019 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Electrical
    Location: American Eagle Mine, Kanawha County, WV
    Mine Controller: Blackhawk Mining LLC
    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: 
    Larry Hedrick , Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 304-877-3900 ext. 212

  • September 5, 2019 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
    Location: Cardinal Mine, Hopkins County, KY
    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: 
    Matthew Stone, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 270-213-1720

  • August 29, 2019 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Fall of Face, Rib, Side or Highwall
    Location: Enlow Fork Mine, Consol Pennsylvannia
    Mine Controller: CONSOL Energy Inc
    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: 
    Bernard Caffrey, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 1-724-627-5558, ext. 223

  • August 20, 2019 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Slip or Fall of Person
    Location: Scrubgrass Fuel Handling Facility, Venango County, PA
    Mine Controller: Falcon Power LLC; Aspen Scrubgrass Participant LLC
    Mine Type: Facility
    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: 
    Steven Pentz , Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 1-814-765-9627 ext. 18

  • 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
    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: 
    John Stone, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 304-877-3900 ext. 211

  • 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
    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: 
    Adam Carlisle, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 270-821-4180, ext 1234

  • 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
    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: 
    Ricky L. Suffridge, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 606-439-2396

  • 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

  • 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
    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: 
    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 #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 #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

  • Fatality #5 - June 4, 2018
    Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
    Location: Morgan Camp Mine, Randolph County, WV
    Mine Controller: Metinvest B V
    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:

    Jeffrey Channell​, Lead Accident Investigator
    Phone: 304-842-0610

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