Surface

MNM Fatal – 12/22/25

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On December 22, 2025, a contractor died after receiving burns from a pressurized hydraulic line that ruptured and caught fire.  The contractor was cutting shims from a cone crusher with a torch.

Best Practices

  • Never apply heat to or near pressurized hydraulic lines.
  • Never apply heat to components when flammable, combustible, or explosive materials are present.
  • Protect and/or relocate hydraulic lines to prevent physical damage.
  • Examine all components and surrounding areas before applying heat, cutting or welding. Conduct daily inspections of hydraulic equipment, hoses, and connections for leaks, wear, or damage.
  • Always use proper protective equipment for the task.

Additional Information

This is the 33rd fatality reported in 2025, and the first classified as “Exploding Vessels under Pressure.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatal – 12/10/25

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On December 10, 2025, two contractors died when the dragline they were operating slid into a water-filled pit.

Best Practices

  • Establish mining methods based on geological conditions such as soil stability subsurface cavities.
  • Evaluate all pit, highwall, slope, and bank conditions at least daily or more often, if necessary, to protect the health and safety of the miners. Be especially vigilant after each rain, freeze, or thaw.
  • Conduct effective workplace examinations in areas where miners are working and traveling. Identify and correct all hazards.
  • Train miners on equipment risks and to recognize potential hazards that can decrease bank and slope stability.

Additional Information

These are the 30th and 31st fatalities reported in 2025, and the fifth and sixth classified as “Machinery.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report 1 (pdf), Preliminary Report 2 (pdf)

MNM Fatal – 11/22/25

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On November 22, 2025, a plant operator died after he was struck and engulfed by falling material at a salt silo discharge outlet. He was attempting to clear a blockage with his head and arm inside the silo access door.

Best Practices

  • Equip bins and hoppers with mechanical devices such as vibrating shakers or air cannons to loosen blockages or provide other effective means so miners are not exposed to caving or sliding materials.
  • Ensure miners are positioned in a safe location and away from potential hazards.
  • Make sure miners working under hazardous conditions can be seen, heard, and able to communicate with others.
  • Examine working places to identify the potential for falling or sliding materials prior to allowing access to areas in or around bins and hoppers.
  • Before blocked bins and hoppers are cleared, train miners to recognize and safely remove all potential hazards.

Additional Information

This is the 29th fatality reported in 2025, and the first classified as “Handling Material.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatal – 10/16/25

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On October 16, 2025, a miner was performing work from an elevated platform when they fell approximately 30 feet. The miner died from his injuries.

Best Practices

  • Provide safe access to all work areas by installing handrails, guarding, or the use of fall protection equipment where there is a risk of miners falling.
  • Provide and ensure proper use of fall protection when a fall hazard exists.  Ensure fall protection has a suitable fall arrest and secure anchorage system.
  • Identify risks and eliminate or control them before beginning activities.
  • Conduct workplace examinations to identify conditions that may adversely affect the safety or health of miners.

Additional Information

This is the 25th fatality reported in 2025, and the first classified as “Slip or Fall of Person.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatality – 9/13/25

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On September 13, 2025, an electrician contacted 277 volts of alternating current while working on a light fixture in an office building. He was electrocuted and fell off a ladder.

Best Practices

  • Always lock out, tag out, and test electrical equipment to verify all power has been de-energized prior to working on it.
  • Label power switches to show which units they control, unless identification can be made readily by location.
  • Leave protective covers in place until electrically powered equipment is de-energized.
  • Establish safe procedures before beginning work and discuss them with all miners involved in the task.
  • Always use properly rated tools and personal protective equipment when working with electricity.
  • Ensure that miners are properly task-trained for their assigned tasks.

Additional Information

This is the 23rd fatality reported in 2025, and the second classified as “Electrical.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatality – 9/8/25

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A contract haul truck driver was injured while dumping a load of material at the top of a stockpile. The ground under the truck failed causing the truck to overturn onto its cab. The driver died later from his injuries.

Best Practices

  • Construct substantial berms, bumper blocks, safety hooks, or similar impeding devices at dumping locations where there is a hazard of overtravel or overturning.
  • Conduct workplace and ground condition examinations before beginning work in an area.
  • Always dump material from a stable and safe location.  If examinations indicate the ground conditions are not reliable, dump loads at a safe distance and push the material over the edge using a bulldozer.
  • Never load material from the toe of a stockpile that is below an active dump point.  This typically leads to a slope that is unstable and too steep.
  • Maintain stockpile slopes no steeper than the angle of repose.

Additional Information

This is the 22nd fatality reported in 2025, and the ninth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatality – 10/28/25

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On October 28, 2025, a miner died after the haul truck he was driving went over a berm along the haul road and into a water-filled pit.

Best Practices

  • Always operate mobile equipment at safe speeds. Consider the roadways, tracks, grades, clearances, visibility, traffic, and type of equipment used.
  • Ensure berms and guardrails are at least mid-axle height of the largest mobile equipment using the roadway.
  • Follow the Surface Mobile Equipment Safety Program at your mine.
  • Always wear a seatbelt while operating mobile equipment. Never attempt to exit or jump from an out-of-control vehicle.
  • Perform pre-operational examinations of mobile equipment.

Additional Information

This is the 26th fatality reported in 2025, and the 11th classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

Coal Fatality – 8/26/25

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On August 26, 2025, an electrician died while performing elevator testing.  The elevator car descended and struck the electrician on the first-floor elevator platform. 

Best Practices

  • De-energize, lock out, tag out, and block machinery against hazardous motion, including unintended movement, before conducting maintenance.
  • Install audible and visual alarms to warn of impending equipment movement.  Ensure the alarms are functional through testing and maintenance.
  • Stay clear of moving equipment during testing procedures.
  • Train miners to safely perform testing procedures and ensure the procedures are followed.

Additional Information

This is the 20th fatality reported in 2025, and the first classified as “Hoisting.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatality – 8/25/25

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On August 25, 2025, a miner died after the haul truck he was driving went over a berm along the haul road, over a highwall, and overturned into water in the pit.

Best Practices

  • Always operate mobile equipment at safe speeds. Consider the roadways, tracks, grades, clearances, visibility, traffic, and type of equipment being used.
  • Follow the Surface Mobile Equipment safety program at your mine.
  • Clearly mark hazards along roadways with signs and signals.
  • Always wear a seatbelt while operating mobile equipment. Never attempt to exit or jump from an out-of-control vehicle.
  • Maintain control of mobile equipment while it is descending, especially around tight turns.
  • Ensure miners are adequately task trained in the safe operation of all equipment they operate.
  • Perform pre-operational examinations of mobile equipment.

Additional Information

This is the 19th fatality reported in 2025, and the eighth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatality – 8/7/25

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On August 7, 2025, a contractor died after the front-end loader he was operating traveled over the edge of a highwall, falling approximately 70 feet.

Best Practices

  • Maintain control of self-propelled mobile equipment while it is in motion.
  • Never attempt to enter or exit an out-of-control vehicle.
  • Ensure miners are adequately task trained in the safe operation of assigned equipment.
  • Perform regular pre-operational examinations of mobile equipment.
  • Monitor work activities to ensure both miners and contractors follow safe work procedures.

Additional Information

This is the 18th fatality reported in 2025, and the seventh classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)