Surface

MNM Fatal – 8/13/26

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On August 13, 2026, a miner was performing maintenance on a slipping head pulley of a hopper. During the task, the miner fell onto the discharge conveyor, where he became engulfed as the belt began feeding material from the hopper.

Best Practices

  • De-energize, lock-out, tag-out, and block machinery against motion before performing repairs or maintenance.
  • Provide and maintain safe access to all working places. Use personnel lifts or ladders to access elevated workplaces safely.
  • Provide and ensure proper use of fall protection where there is a danger of falling. Ensure fall protection has a suitable fall arrest connection and secure anchorage system.
  • Conduct workplace examinations to identify conditions that may adversely affect the safety or health of miners. Identify risks and eliminate or control hazards before beginning work.

Additional Information

This is the 20th fatality reported in 2026, and the third classified as “Slip or Fall of Person.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatal – 7/6/26

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On July 6, 2026, a miner died when the haul truck he was operating collided with another haul truck.

Best Practices

  • Always operate mobile equipment at safe speeds and following distances. Consider the condition of roadways, grades, clearances, visibility, traffic, weather, and the type of equipment being used.
  • Ensure miners are adequately task trained in the safe operation of all equipment they operate.
  • Ensure haulage roads are examined for hazardous conditions. Communicate hazardous conditions to all persons using the haulage roads.
  • Follow the traffic rules at the mine and the mine’s Safety Program for Surface Mobile Equipment

Additional Information

This is the 16th fatality reported in 2026, and the fourth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatal – 6/26/26

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On June 26, 2026, a contract truck driver died while loading a front-end loader onto a trailer for transportation.

Best Practices

  • Load equipment in a manner that does not create a hazard to miners from falling or shifting equipment.
  • Ensure work areas are clear and that miners position themselves away from potential hazards, including potential pinch points, when moving or positioning equipment.
  • Ensure miners communicate their presence and intended movements when working near mobile equipment and that they wait for acknowledgment before moving.
  • Ensure miners always give a warning prior to moving equipment.
  • Train all miners in the safe performance of tasks.

Additional Information

This is the 14th fatality reported in 2026, and the third classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatal – 5/21/26

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On May 21, 2026, a contractor died when an explosion occurred while he was heating the flights on an auger used to load ammonium nitrate.

Best Practices

  • Practice safe-work procedures for hot-work on and around reactive material conveyance and storage systems. Never apply heat when reactive materials are present.
  • Train miners and contractors on reactive material hazards and clean out procedures prior to performing repair work.
  • Conduct job‑specific hazard assessments and follow manufacturer recommendations for auger removal, repair, and welding activities.
  • Ensure all stored energy sources, including mechanical, electrical and thermal are locked out, tagged out, and secured against motion before removing or repairing augers or drive components.

Additional Information

This is the 13th fatality reported in 2026, and the first classified as “Explosives and Breaking Agents.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

Coal Fatal – 5/20/26

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On May 20, 2026, a contract mechanic field technician was fatally injured while removing the radiator guard from a front-end loader when the counterweight fell on him. 

Best Practices

  • Block machinery components against motion with suitable tools or blocking materials before removing mounting bolts from machinery components that can fall during disassembly.
  • Review and follow the equipment manufacturer’s recommended maintenance procedures when performing repairs to machinery.
  • Ensure miners are positioned in safe locations away from crushing hazards.
  • Train miners in safe work procedures related to their assigned tasks.

Additional Information

This is the 12th fatality reported in 2026, and the fourth classified as “Machinery.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatal – 4/30/26

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MINE FATALITY – On April 30, 2026, a miner died while filling an uncoupled water tank semi-trailer when it overturned. 

Best Practices

  • Park mobile equipment and trailers on level ground and properly chock the wheels before beginning any task.
  • Ensure landing gear of trailers is firmly positioned on stable support.
  • Conduct examinations of equipment and correct potentially hazardous conditions prior to performing tasks.
  • Never work on or near equipment that could move unexpectedly; secure equipment against rolling or shifting. 
  • Train miners in the safe performance of their tasks.

Additional Information

This is the ninth fatality reported in 2026, and the first classified as “Non-Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatal – 3/28/26

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On March 28, 2026, a contractor died after falling approximately 37 feet through an unsecured roof panel of a shaker screen deck while conducting roof repairs.

Best Practices

  • Provide and maintain safe access to all work areas.
  • Always use approved fall protection systems when working at heights where a fall hazard is present. Ensure fall protection has a suitable fall arrest connection and secure anchorage system.
  • Ensure miners are properly trained for the assigned task, including the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and recognizing fall hazards. 
  • Conduct a thorough inspection of the workplace and all required PPE before commencing any work activities to identify and mitigate potential hazards.
  • Ensure contractors receive appropriate training prior to performing work.

Additional Information

This is the sixth fatality reported in 2026, and the first classified as “Slip or Fall of Person.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatal – 3/3/26

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On March 3, 2026, a contractor died while working in an excavated area when the adjacent concrete block retaining wall collapsed.

Best Practices

  • Conduct inspections before working near retaining walls or earth-retaining structures. Look for signs of movement, cracking, bulging, loose blocks, seepage, or soil erosion.
  • Stay clear of potentially unstable areas.
  • Maintain a safe distance. Keep personnel, equipment, and materials back from the top and base of retaining walls to prevent surcharge loading or vibration that could cause sudden wall failure.
  • Never work directly below or adjacent to unsupported or unprotected excavations or unstable retaining walls. Use barricades, controlled access, or engineered protection to prevent exposure to falling blocks or wall collapse. 
  • Train miners in safe work procedures and hazard recognition.

Additional Information

This is the third fatality reported in 2026, and the first classified as “Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock or Material of Any Kind.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatal – 1/8/26

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On January 8, 2026, an over-the-road truck driver died after he became pinned between the dump bed and the frame of a truck.

Best Practices

  • Establish and discuss safe work procedures before beginning work. Identify and control all hazards associated with the work and use methods to properly protect persons. 
  • Before working on equipment, block all raised components against motion and ensure persons are positioned in a safe location and away from the “red zone” areas.
  • Never work under a load that is unsupported or inadequately supported. Observe and follow all warning labels and signs on equipment.

Additional Information

This is the second fatality reported in 2026, and the first classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatal – 1/6/26

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On January 6, 2026, a contractor was fatally struck by the motor and gearbox assembly while removing a baghouse slide gate. 

Best Practices

  • Block machinery or equipment against hazardous motion before beginning maintenance or repairs. Verify miners are in a safe location and away from potential “red zone” areas.
  • Secure assemblies to prevent unexpected movement and use proper tools.
  • Identify and control all stored energy sources, including gravity.
  • Train miners in safe work procedures and hazard recognition.

Additional Information

This is the first fatality reported in 2026, and the first classified as “Machinery.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)