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
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:
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Accident Classification: Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock or Material of Any KindLocation: Belzer Pit, MontanaMine Controller: Steve Fossum; Scott Fossum; Carol FossumMine Type: SurfaceMined Material: Construction Sand and Gravel
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Accident Classification: Powered HaulageLocation: Brooksville South Cement Plant, FloridaMine Controller: Cemex S AMine Type: FacilityMined Material: Cement
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Accident Classification: ElectricalLocation: Murray Mines Inc., South CarolinaMine Controller: James O Murray JrMine Type: SurfaceMined Material: Construction Sand and Gravel
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Accident Classification: Powered HaulageLocation: Spring Creek Coal Company, MontanaMine Controller: Cloud Peak Energy Resources LLCMine Type: SurfaceMined Material: Coal (Bituminous)
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Accident Classification: Ignition or Explosion of Gas or DustLocation: BREWER SAND, South CarolinaMine Controller: Heidelberg Cement AGMine Type: SurfaceMined Material: Construction Sand and Gravel
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Accident Classification: OtherLocation: Holcim (Texas) LP, TexasMine Controller: Holcim Ltd; Crow HoldingsMine Type: FacilityMined Material: Cement
On June 17, 2014, a fatal accident occurred at Holcim Texas LP. On, September 3, 2014, MSHA referred the accident to the Chargeability Review Committee. On February 2, 2015, the Chargeability Review Committee determined that this death should be charged to the mining industry. The autopsy report indicated that the manner of death was accidental and that the cause of death was asthma exacerbated by environmental dust exposure.
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Accident Classification: Slip or Fall of PersonLocation: Chalk Hills Quarry, UtahMine Controller: Karen PalmerMine Type: SurfaceMined Material: Gypsum
(Victim died July 28, 2014)
On June 14, 2014, Kevin Lee Ames, a 35-year-old laborer, was using a propane torch to shrink-wrap pelletized gypsum when he received serious burns on 35% of his body. He was subsequently discovered by a co-worker and transported to a hospital. He died on July 28, 2014. The death certificate indicated that the cause of death was mucormycosis (fungal infection) due to burns, and that the manner of death was an accident. An autopsy was not performed. Based on the findings of the death certificate and the MSHA investigation, the Fatality Review Committee determined that the death should be charged to the mining industry.
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Accident Classification: MachineryLocation: North Antelope Rochelle Mine, WyomingMine Controller: Peabody EnergyMine Type: SurfaceMined Material: Coal (Bituminous)
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Accident Classification: HoistingLocation: Sunshine Mine, IdahoMine Controller: Sunshine Silver Mines CorpMine Type: UndergroundMined Material: Silver Ore
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Accident Classification: MachineryLocation: MC#1 Mine, IllinoisMine Controller: Coalfield Transport IncMine Type: UndergroundMined Material: Coal (Bituminous)
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Accident Classification: MachineryLocation: Hualapai Pit, ArizonaMine Controller: Thomas Short; Linda ShortMine Type: SurfaceMined Material: Construction Sand and GravelAmendments:(Victim died May 26, 2015)
On May 13, 2014, a 67-year-old mechanic was standing on the motor drive belt guard of the cone crusher and was knocked off of the crusher by an excavator bucket. The mechanic fell approximately 11 feet to the ground. The victim was severely injured in the fall and taken to a local hospital where he underwent emergency surgery to stabilize him. The victim was moved to a rehab facility and died on May 26, 2015. Based on the findings of an onsite MSHA investigation and an extensive review of medical documentation, the chargeability review committee concluded that his death should be charged to the mining industry.
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Accident Classification: Fall of Face, Rib, Side or HighwallLocation: Brody Mine No 1, West VirginiaMine Controller: Patriot Coal CorporationMine Type: UndergroundMined Material: Coal (Bituminous)
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Accident Classification: Powered HaulageLocation: Mississippi Sand Seagraves, TexasMine Controller: Cemtech International Inc; Synergy Materials IncMine Type: SurfaceMined Material: Sand, Industrial NEC
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Accident Classification: Powered HaulageLocation: Gypsum Mountain, NevadaMine Controller: Paul R GianoliMine Type: SurfaceMined Material: Gypsum
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Accident Classification: MachineryLocation: Midas Mine, NevadaMine Controller: Klondex Mines LtdMine Type: UndergroundMined Material: Gold Ore
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Accident Classification: MachineryLocation: Gravelite Division, LouisianaMine Controller: CRH PLCMine Type: SurfaceMined Material: Fire Clay
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Accident Classification: OtherLocation: Crown Hill Dock, West VirginiaMine Controller: L W Hamilton; Warren HyltonMine Type: FacilityMined Material: Coal (Bituminous)Amendments:The date of the accident was April 18th, 2014. This case was determined to be a mining fatality on December 22, 2014.
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Accident Classification: MachineryLocation: Hafenstine Plant #1, KansasMine Controller: Donald P HafenstineMine Type: SurfaceMined Material: Construction Sand and Gravel
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Accident Classification: Fall of Face, Rib, Side or HighwallLocation: Mississippi Lime Company-Ste. Genevieve, MissouriMine Controller: Margaret J HeckmanMine Type: UndergroundMined Material: Lime
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Accident Classification: Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock or Material of Any KindLocation: LORD FARM #5, VirginiaMine Controller: John M BaillioMine Type: SurfaceMined Material: Construction Sand and Gravel
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Accident Classification: MachineryLocation: Gibson Mine, IndianaMine Controller: Alliance Resource Partners LPMine Type: UndergroundMined Material: Coal (Bituminous)
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Accident Classification: Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock or Material of Any KindLocation: East Coast Mines Ltd, New YorkMine Controller: John B TintleMine Type: SurfaceMined Material: Construction Sand and Gravel
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Accident Classification: Slip or Fall of PersonLocation: AMES MINE, IowaMine Controller: Martin Marietta Materials IncMine Type: UndergroundMined Material: Crushed, Broken Limestone NEC
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Accident Classification: Slip or Fall of PersonLocation: KOSMOS CEMENT CO., KentuckyMine Controller: Cemex S AMine Type: FacilityMined Material: Cement
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Accident Classification: MachineryLocation: Mine No. 4, Mine No. 30, VirginiaMine Controller: SunCoke Energy IncorporatedMine Type: UndergroundMined Material: Coal (Bituminous)
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Accident Classification: Powered HaulageLocation: Comstock / Mountain Lion, UtahMine Controller: Steve L GilbertMine Type: SurfaceMined Material: Iron Ore
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Accident Classification: Powered HaulageLocation: Mountain View Mine, West VirginiaMine Controller: Alliance Resource Partners LPMine Type: UndergroundMined Material: Coal (Bituminous)
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Accident Classification: Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock or Material of Any KindLocation: Wittichen Stephen Plants, GeorgiaMine Controller: Brown Brothers Sand CompanyMine Type: SurfaceMined Material: Sand, Industrial NEC
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Accident Classification: OtherLocation: Dredge IV, KentuckyMine Controller: HMT Holdings, Inc.Mine Type: SurfaceMined Material: Construction Sand and Gravel
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Accident Classification: OtherLocation: Tilden Mine, MichiganMine Controller: U.S. Steel Canada; Cliffs Natural Resources IncMined Material: Iron OreAmendments:Based on MSHA's investigation and the finding of the death certificate, MSHA concluded that the miner died from natural causes and that the fatality is not chargeable.