Since October 2020, four massive pillar collapses have occurred in limestone mines. Each was accompanied by a powerful air blast and the formation of a large surface sinkhole. Fortunately they did not result in any injuries. Another massive pillar collapse occurred in 2015, and in that instance three miners were seriously injured by the air blast. All of these collapses occurred where floor mining, or benching, had substantially increased the height of the pillars. Three of them occurred in “legacy” areas where mining was completed many years ago.
MSHA has resources available to raise awareness and avoid these accidents at underground mines, particularly limestone mines, that can result in areas where benching has occurred. Please use resources on this page to help you avoid the dangers of pillar collapses.
For questions regarding this initiative, or to register for one of the upcoming MSHA Stone Mine Pillar Collapse Seminars below, please contact PillarInitiative@dol.gov. Seminars are being scheduled in coordination with MSHA Enforcement District offices. If a seminar for your District has not been scheduled, please check back or email us. When registering, please provide your full name, company or organization, phone number, and the date of the seminar you would like to attend.
Upcoming Presentations/Seminars
None scheduled.
Past Events
- Mine Xchange: SME Annual Conference and Expo
https://www.smeannualconference.com/
Where: Denver, CO
When: February 26-March 1, 2023 - 33rd Central Pennsylvania Geotechnical Conference
https://central-pa-asce-geotech.org/
Where: Hershey, PA
When: April 5 – April 7, 2023 - Southeast Mine Safety and Health Conference
https://southeastmineconf.org/
Where: Hoover, AL
When: November 2-November 4, 2022 - Kentucky Professional Engineers in Mining Seminar
University of Kentucky/SME
Where: Lexington, KY
When: August 19, 2022 - International Conference on Ground Control in Mining
SME ICGCM
Where: Canonsburg, PA
When: July 26, 2022 - National Lime Association Annual Conference
National Lime Association
Where: Nashville, TN
When: June 14, 2022
- Metallurgical Coal Producers Association
Professional Engineers in Mining Seminar
Where: Russell County Conference Center
When: March 31, 2022
- Vincennes District Stone Mine Pillar Collapse Seminar
Where: Virtual, via Microsoft Teams
When: January 20, 2022
- Barbourville District Stone Mine Pillar Collapse Seminar
Where: Virtual, via Microsoft Teams
When: January 18, 2022
- Norton District Stone Mine Pillar Collapse Seminar
Where: Virtual, via Microsoft Teams
When: January 12, 2022
- Dallas and Birmingham Districts Stone Mine Pillar Collapse Seminar
Where: Virtual, via Microsoft Teams
When: January 11, 2022
- Duluth District Stone Mine Pillar Collapse Seminar
Where: Virtual, via Microsoft Teams
When: December 16, 2021
- Madisonville District Stone Mine Pillar Collapse Seminar
Where: Virtual, via Microsoft Teams
When: December 15, 2021
- 2021 Underground Stone Safety Seminar
Where: Louisville Marriott Downtown, Louisville, KY
When: December 7 - 8, 2021
- Warrendale District Stone Mine Pillar Collapse Seminar
Where: Virtual, via Microsoft Teams
When: November 18, 2021
- Morgantown District Stone Mine Pillar Collapse Seminar
Where: Virtual, via Microsoft Teams
When: November 16, 2021
- Mt. Pleasant District Stone Mine Pillar Collapse Seminar
Where: Virtual, via Microsoft Teams
When: November 9, 2021