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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:

  • December 15, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Machinery
    Location: Fords Branch Mine, Pike, Kentucky
    Mine Controller: Jerry Keith Mc Peek; Eric Mc Peek
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Crushed Broken Sandstone
    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 R. Bower , Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 276-679-0230

  • December 14, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Fall of Roof or Back
    Location: Avery Island, Iberia, Louisiana
    Mine Controller: Cargill Inc
    Mine Type: Underground
    Mined Material: Salt
    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 Conn, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 214-767-8401

  • December 14, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Fall of Roof or Back
    Location: Avery Island, Iberia, Louisiana
    Mine Controller: Cargill Inc
    Mine Type: Underground
    Mined Material: Salt
    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 Conn, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 214-767-8401

  • November 23, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Electrical
    Location: Houston Plant, Harris, TX
    Mine Controller: New Park Resources Inc.
    Mine Type: Facility
    Mined Material: Barite Barium Ore
    Preliminary 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 Powers, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 214-767-8401

  • 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
    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

  • November 8, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Machinery
    Location: Smokey Valley Common Operations, Nye , Nevada
    Mine Controller: Kinross Gold Corp
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Gold Ore
    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: 
    William Whitby, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 707-447-9844

  • 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
    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 19, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Machinery
    Location: Swayback Quarry, Larimer, Colorado
    Mine Controller: Rick Virgil
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Dimension Sandstone
    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: 
    Thaddeus J Sichmeller, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 303-231-5465

  • October 14, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
    Location: Columbia Quarry, Richland, South Carolina
    Mine Controller: Vulcan Materials Company
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Crushed Broken Granite
    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: 
    Darren A Conn, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 205-290-7294

  • 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
    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
    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

  • September 16, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
    Location: Woodland Plant, Burlington, NJ
    Mine Controller: William Clayton
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Construction Sand and Gravel
    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: 
    Peter Betz, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 724-925-5150

  • September 1, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Slip or Fall of Person
    Location: Arepet Industries, Bexar, Texas
    Mine Controller: Ruben Garza; Ceasar F Saenz
    Mine Type: Facility
    Mined Material: Sand industrials 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 A  Dreyer, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 214-767-8401

  • August 26, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Machinery
    Location: Chilton Inc, Cowlitz, Washington
    Mine Controller: Chilton Inc
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: 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: 
    Joel L Dozier, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 707-447-9844

  • August 21, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Machinery
    Location: Moore Quarry, Pocahontas, IOWA
    Mine Controller: Martin Marietta Materials Inc
    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: 
    James A. Hines, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 218-720-5448

  • August 18, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock or Material of Any Kind
    Location: HJ Hove, Riverside, California
    Mine Controller: Robar Enterprises Inc
    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: 
    Charles Snare​, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 775-437-9010

  • July 29, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Powered Haulage
    Location: Gravel Pit, Wright, Missouri
    Mine Controller: James S. Peterson
    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: 
    Michael VanDorn, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 270-821-4180

  • July 24, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Machinery
    Location: Cisco Mine, Murray, Georgia
    Mine Controller: Carmeuse Holding SA
    Mine Type: Underground
    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: 
    Scottie Sizemore, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 205-290-7294

  • July 9, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Electrical
    Location: Hudson Sand Mine, Peach, Georgia
    Mine Controller: Curt B Jamison
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Sand Common
    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 Investigator:  
    Phone: 205-290-7294

  • June 19, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock or Material of Any Kind
    Location: PLANT 2, Chase, KANSAS
    Mine Controller: Warren W Harshman
    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: 
    Chris Ewing, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 270-821-4180

  • June 13, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Machinery
    Location: Fast Pak Crusher, Maricopa, Arizona
    Mine Controller: Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
    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: 
    Lee Hughes, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 303-231-5465

  • June 1, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Slip or Fall of Person
    Location: Plant 1, Maricopa, Arizona
    Mine Controller: Gary Curtis
    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: 
    Clayton Johnson, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 303-231-5465

  • May 21, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Hand Tools
    Location: Bluff City Minerals, Madison, Illinois
    Mine Controller: Fred Weber, Inc.
    Mine Type: Underground
    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: 
    Bub Whitfield​, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 812-882-7617

  • May 2, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Handling Material
    Location: Enon Sand &Gravel, Clark, Ohio
    Mine Controller: James P JurgensenII; Jacqueline J Alf; Jason R
    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: 
    Rodney Rice, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 724-772-2334

  • February 29, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Machinery
    Location: Newark Aquisition , LLC, Beauregard, Louisiana
    Mine Controller: Mark LaBorde; Kevin A Cook
    Mine Type: Surface
    Mined Material: Sand, Common
    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 Dunlap, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 214-767-8401

  • February 27, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Handling Material
    Location: Patterson Road, Allegan MIchigan
    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: 
    Duane Hongisto​, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 218-720-5448

  • 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.
  • January 23, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Slip or Fall of Person
    Location: Tehachapi Plant, Kern, California
    Mine Controller: Heidelberg Cement AG
    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: 
    Duane L. Hongisto, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 218-720-5448 

  • January 8, 2020 Fatality
    Accident Classification: Slip or Fall of Person
    Location: Portable Crushing Dept 415, Clinton County, IA
    Mine Controller: Manaco Corporation
    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: 
    Thomas H. Heft, Lead Investigator:  
    Phone: 218-720-5448

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