The Mine Safety and Health Administration in February released initial findings from a November 2025 death at an underground coal operation.
The fatality occurred on November 8 when a section foreman was inundated with water from an adjacent abandoned mine while working at the Rolling Thunder operation in West Virginia. Rolling Thunder is owned by Alpha Metallurgical Resources.
The foreman was found on November 13, 2025.
Among its best practices, MSHA stressed the following:
- Determine the location of abandoned mine workings using signed maps and local sources. Abandoned mines are a major flood hazard;
- Provide sufficient barrier pillars. Evaluate interburden thickness and compare mine surveys from a common baseline;
- Use directional, long-hole drilling to ensure adequate barriers around mining areas;
- If necessary, submit permits for “operations under water.”
The death was the 28th fatality in all of mining reported in 2025, and the first classified as Inundation.
MSHA encourages miners to report all accidents and hazardous conditions to its hotline at 1-800-746-1553.