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:

  • Fatality #7 - July 29, 2016
    Accident Classification: Ignition or Explosion of Gas or Dust
    Location: Road Fork #51 Mine, West Virginia
    Mine Controller: Alpha Natural Resources, 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:

    Josh Bennett, Lead Accident Investigator
    Phone: 304.763.1712

  • Fatality #10 - July 25, 2016
    Accident Classification: Fall of Face, Rib, Side or Highwall
    Location: Savannah Quarry, Tennessee
    Mine Controller: Vulcan Materials Company
    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:

    Rory Smith, Lead Accident Investigator
    Phone: 205.290.7297

     

  • Fatality #9 - June 27, 2016
    Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
    Location: Atlas Qu Pt Crusher #1, Arkansas
    Mine Controller: Atlas Asphalt; White River Bituminous
    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:

    Robert D. Seelke, Lead Accident Investigator
    Phone: 573.364.8282

     

  • Fatality #5 - June 6, 2016
    Accident Classification: Machinery
    Location: The American Coal Company New Era Mine, Illinois
    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:

    Brandon Naas, Lead Accident Investigator
    Phone: 618.997.0584

     

  • Fatality #7, #8 - June 03, 2016
    Accident Classification: Inundation
    Location: Harmony Mine & Mill , Mississippi
    Mine Controller: Heyward C Green
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Construction Sand and 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:

    Christopher Hensler, Lead Accident Investigator
    Phone: 218.720.5448

     

  • Fatality #6 - May 16, 2016
    Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
    Location: Leer Mine, West Virginia
    Mine Controller: Arch Coal 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:

    John Hall, Lead Accident Investigator
    Phone: 304.225.6880

     

  • Fatality #6 - May 10, 2016
    Accident Classification: Slip or Fall of Person
    Location: Ash Grove Cement Company, Texas
    Mine Controller: Ash Grove Cement Company
    Mine Type: Facility
    Mined Material: Cement
    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 Dreyer, Lead Accident Investigator
    Phone: 214.767.8401

  • Fatality #5 - April 11, 2016
    Accident Classification: Machinery
    Location: The Chemours Company TT LLC, Florida
    Mine Controller: EI DuPont De Nemours & Co Inc
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Titanium Ore
    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:

    Darren A Conn, Lead Accident Investigator
    Phone: 615.790.0562

  • Fatality #4 - April 9, 2016
    Accident Classification: Electrical
    Location: Freeport-McMoRan Safford Inc, Arizona
    Mine Controller: Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Copper Ore NEC
    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:

    Lee Hughes, Lead Accident Investigator
    Phone: 303.231.5465

     

  • Fatality #4 - March 25, 2016
    Accident Classification: Fall of Face, Rib, Side or Highwall
    Location: Huff Creek No 1, Kentucky
    Mine Controller: Catenary Coal Holdings, 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:

    Rick Suffridge, Lead Accident Investigator
    Phone: 606-439-2396

  • Fatality #3 - March 22, 2016
    Accident Classification: Explosives and Breaking Agents
    Location: MARTIN MARIETTA MAGNESIA SPECIAL, Ohio
    Mine Controller: Martin Marietta Materials Inc
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Lime
    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:

    Thad Sichmeller, Lead Accident Investigator
    Phone: 218.720.5448

  • Fatality #2 - March 08, 2016
    Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
    Location: Beck Street South, Utah
    Mine Controller: CRH PLC
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Construction Sand and 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:

    Joseph Summers, Lead Accident Investigator
    Phone: 303.231.5465

  • Fatality #1 - February 26, 2016
    Accident Classification: Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock or Material of Any Kind
    Location: Vista Sand, Texas
    Mine Controller: RJS Holdings LLC; MWR Holdings LLC
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Construction Sand and 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:

    Homer Pricer, Lead Accident Investigator
    Phone: 210.403.5943

  • Fatality #3 - January 19, 2016
    Accident Classification: Machinery
    Location: Dotiki Mine, 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:

    Phillip A. Carlisle, Lead Accident Investigator

    Phone: 270-821-4180

  • Fatality #2 - January 16, 2016
    Accident Classification: Fall of Face, Rib, Side or Highwall
    Location: 4 West Mine, Pennsylvania
    Mine Controller: GenPower Holdings LP;James L Laurita Jr
    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:

    Jeremy Stainaker, Lead Accident Investigator

    Phone: 724-925-5150

  • Fatality #1 - January 4, 2016
    Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
    Location: Lower War Eagle, West Virginia
    Mine Controller: Coronado Coal 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:

    Rodney Lusk, Lead Accident Investigator

    Phone: 304-732-6410 x1250

  • Fatality #17 - December 28, 2015
    Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
    Location: Barrick Cortez Inc., Nevada
    Mine Controller: Barrick Gold Corp
    Mine Type: Surface
    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:

    Troy Van Wey, Lead Accident Investigator
    Phone: 707.447.9844

  • Fatality #16 - December 15, 2015
    Accident Classification: Machinery
    Location: Davenport Plant, Iowa
    Mine Controller: Lafarge S A
    Mine Type: Facility
    Mined Material: Cement
    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 J. Sichmeller, Lead Accident Investigator
    Phone: 218.720.5448

  • Fatality #11 - December 8, 2015
    Accident Classification: Machinery
    Location: MC#1 Mine, Illinois
    Mine Controller: Coalfield Transport 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:

    Harry Wilcox, Lead Accident Investigator
    Phone: (618) 997-0584 ext 33

  • Fatality #10 - September 26, 2015
    Accident Classification: Slip or Fall of Person
    Location: Johnson Mine, Alabama
    Mine Controller: Randall E Crawford
    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 Accident Investigator
    Phone: (205) 424-0247

  • Fatality #9 - September 16, 2015
    Accident Classification: Machinery
    Location: Onton #9 , 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:

    Charles Ramsey, Lead Accident Investigator
    Phone: 270.821.4180 ext 1289

  • Fatality #12 - August 19, 2015
    Accident Classification: Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock or Material of Any Kind
    Location: Mine No. 1, Illinois
    Mine Controller: Alliance Resource Partners LP
    Mine Type: Underground
    Mined Material: Coal (Bituminous)
    Amendments:
    On August 19, 2015, a miner was injured at Alliance Resource Partners LP - Mine No. 1 when the boom of a belt drive he was installing fell and hit him on the shoulder. On October 1, 2015 the miner died. On February 17, 2016, MSHA was notified that the miner died as a result of the August 19, 2015, injuries. On April 11, 2016, MSHA referred the accident to the chargeability Review Committee. On October 13, 2016, the Chargeability Review Committee determined that the death should be charged to the mining industry. The death certificate listed clinical debilitation due to left shoulder injury as a contributing factor.
    Preliminary Report
    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:

    Harry Wilcox, Lead Accident Investigator
    Phone: 618.997.0584

     

  • Fatality #15 - August 3, 2015
    Accident Classification: Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock or Material of Any Kind
    Location: Leesburg Plant , Virginia
    Mine Controller: Charles S Luck IV; Charles S Luck III
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Crushed, Broken 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:

    Gary Merwine, Lead Accident Investigator
    Phone: 724.772.2334

  • Fatality #14 - August 3, 2015
    Accident Classification: Machinery
    Location: SSX Mine, Nevada
    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:

    Stephen Cain, Lead Accident Investigator
    Phone: 707.447.9844

  • Fatality #13 - August 3, 2015
    Accident Classification: Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock or Material of Any Kind
    Location: Pinky's Aggregates Inc, North Dakota
    Mine Controller: Dale Honsey
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Construction Sand and 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:

    Leon Muller, Lead Accident Investigator
    Phone: 303.231.5465

  • Fatality #10 - July 15, 2015
    Accident Classification: Other
    Location: MAIN PROCESSING PLANT, Georgia
    Mine Controller: J Eric Tillirson
    Mine Type: Facility
    Mined Material: Kaolin and Ball Clay
    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:

    Jeff Phillips, Lead Accident Investigator
    Phone: 205.290.7296

  • Fatality #12 - July 10, 2015
    Accident Classification: Machinery
    Location: Dry Fork Sand & Gravel, Ohio
    Mine Controller: Heidelberg Cement AG
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Construction Sand and 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:

    Mike Wynkoop, Lead Accident Investigator
    Phone: 724.772.2334

  • Fatality #9 - June 30, 2015
    Accident Classification: Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock or Material of Any Kind
    Location: CEC #4, Massachusetts
    Mine Controller: Louise Landers
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Construction Sand and 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:

    Tom Shilling, Lead Accident Investigator
    Phone: 724.772.2334

  • Fatality #8 - June 27, 2015
    Accident Classification: Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock or Material of Any Kind
    Location: 4 West Mine, Pennsylvania
    Mine Controller: Mepco Intermediate Holdings, 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:

    Walter Young, Lead Accident Investigator
    Phone: 724.627.5558, Ext 234

  • Fatality #8 - June 12, 2015
    Accident Classification: Striking or Bumping
    Location: Fillmore Pit & Plant, New Hampshire
    Mine Controller: Gregory S Fillmore
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Construction Sand and 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:

    Daniel F. Pullen , Lead Accident Investigator
    Phone: 724.772.2334

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