The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reported 33 mining industry fatalities for 2025. That is up from 28 in 2024. These fatalities include both employee and contractor deaths. There were also three “non-chargeable” fatalities in 2025, deaths that are determined to be unrelated to mining activity and are not included in MSHA’s fatality statistics There were four fatalities in…
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Hexagon, Montana Tech collab for underground testing
The mining division of Hexagon will soon be granted access to a real-world underground environment for technology testing, thanks to a new partnership inked with Montana Technological University.
Read MoreNioCorp to begin Mine Portal project at Elk Creek
Critical minerals developer NioCorp Developments Ltd. said its board of directors has approved the company’s Mine Portal project, a major initiative to advance the Elk Creek critical minerals project in Nebraska. The Mine Portal project will establish the main entrances to the Elk Creek underground mine and will serve as the primary access point for personnel, equipment and materials. The…
Read MoreDOL, MSHA award $10.5M in grants to dozens nationwide
As part of its efforts to support mine safety, health training across the nation, the U.S. Department of Labor and Mine Safety and Health Administration have awarded grant monies totaling more than $10.5 million for the advancement of miner education to organizations in 45 states, the Navajo Nation, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Read MoreMissing Rolling Thunder miner found dead
Alpha Metallurgical Resources confirmed that a section foreman at its Rolling Thunder mine in Nicholas County, W.Va., lost his life following a flooding incident that occurred on November 8. During routine operations, a crew in the underground mine encountered a sudden and substantial inflow of water. Tragically, Steven Lipscomb of Elkview, W.Va., was unable to reach safety. He was last…
Read MoreMarfork Coal fatality marks the 20th for industry in 2025
On August 26, 2025, an electrician died while performing elevator testing at Marfork Coal Company’s processing plant in Whitesville, W.Va. The elevator car descended and struck the electrician on the first-floor elevator platform. This is the 20th fatality reported in 2025, and the first classified as “Hoisting.” Marfork Coal is a subsidiary of Alpha Metallurgical Resources.
Read MoreMSHA reports 19th and 20th fatalities
MSHA reported that on August 25, a miner at Colt Rock and Lime LLC, Scott, Mo., died after the haul truck he was driving went through a berm in the haul road, over a highwall and overturned into water in the pit. More information will be forthcoming. MSHA also reported that on Aug. 26, an electrician died while performing elevator testing.…
Read MoreMSHA reports 18th fatality of 2025
MSHA reported that on Aug. 7, a contractor at a Rockland, Mich., sand and gravel operation died after the front-end loader he was operating traveled over the edge of a highwall, falling approximately 70 ft. This is the 18th fatality reported in 2025, and the seventh classified as “Powered Haulage.” MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this type…
Read MoreMSHA issues safety alert for operating mobile equipment
MSHA reported that since the beginning of calendar year 2025, mine operators have reported more than 150 accidents from the operation of mobile equipment, including 13 of 20 fatal accidents. Accidents can be prevented by examiners and mobile equipment operators looking for hazards above, below, in front, behind, and beside mobile equipment. MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid…
Read MoreMSHA reports 16th and 17th fatalities of 2025
MSHA reported that on July 26, an electrician at Stillwater Mine, Stillwater, Mont., was electrocuted when he came in contact with one phase of a 13,200-volt three phase power source. This is the 16th fatality reported in 2025, and the first classified as “Electrical.” MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this type of accident: MSHA also reported that…
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