Underground

Coal Fatal – 4/3/26

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On April 3, 2026, a miner died after a scoop backed into another scoop that was transporting a longwall shield. This collision caused the longwall shield to shift and pin the miner, who was working underneath it.

Best Practices

  • Ensure work areas are clear and that miners position themselves away from potential hazards, including potential pinch points, when moving or positioning equipment.
  • Ensure that all miners are trained on the hazards of moving shields. 
  • Securely block equipment against motion. 
  • Provide adequate illumination for miners performing maintenance. 
  • Wear reflective clothing to aid visibility when working around mobile equipment.
  • Communicate your presence and intended movements when working near mobile equipment and wait for acknowledgment before moving.

Additional Information

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

Click Here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).

MNM Fatal – 1/19/26

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On January 19, 2026, a miner was seriously injured when an unsecured slab of marble struck him. The miner died on April 2, 2026, from complications related to those injuries.

Best Practices

  • Secure material and components to prevent hazardous motion while performing work.
  • Ensure that miners are positioned where they are not exposed to falling material hazards.
  • Never stand, travel, or work in front of, behind, or under improperly supported material where inadvertent movement could cause injury.
  • Before beginning work, analyze all tasks, establish safe work procedures, train miners, and eliminate hazards. Be aware of hazards that may be created while performing work.

Additional Information

This is the 10th fatality reported in 2026, and the second classified as “Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock or Material of Any Kind.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

Coal Fatal – 4/2/26

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On April 2, 2026, a shuttle car operator was struck by falling rock from the mine roof while setting timber posts during retreat mining. 

Best Practices

  • Know and follow all provisions in the approved roof control plan.
  • The use of Mobile Roof Supports provides greater support and eliminates the need for miners to install posts.
  • Never go under unsupported roof. Consider a roof with damaged or incomplete support as unsupported.
  • Don’t travel inby posts installed during retreat mining.
  • Danger-off hazardous areas until appropriate corrective measures are taken.
  • Conduct thorough examinations of the roof, face, and ribs where miners will be working or traveling. 

Additional Information

This is the seventh fatality reported in 2026, and the first classified as “Fall of Roof or Back.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatal – 3/12/26

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On March 12, 2026, a contract mechanic died after the boom of a drill mast rolled, struck, and pinned him.

Best Practices

  • Block equipment, including components or assemblies, from unexpected movement before beginning work.
  • Follow manufacturer-recommended maintenance procedures. 
  • Bleed off all air prior to hooking up hydraulic lines. Use bleed valves when installed and fully cycle actuators in all directions.
  • Train miners in safe work procedures and hazard recognition. Monitor personnel routinely to ensure they follow safe work procedures.

Additional Information

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

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

Coal Fatal – 3/5/26

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On March 5, 2026, a continuous mining machine operator died after being pinned against the coal rib by a continuous mining machine.

Best Practices

  • Operate equipment from a safe location. Stay out of “Red Zone” areas including pinch points, the continuous mining machine (CMM) turning radius, and areas between the CMM and the ribs. 
  • Develop and implement procedures for tramming, repositioning, cable handling, and moving remote controlled CMMs safely.
  • Maintain the proximity detection systems (PDS) in the approved operating condition. Perform manufacturer-recommended tests to ensure the PDS is functioning properly.
  • Position miner wearable components (MWCs) in accordance with the PDS manufacturer’s recommendations so users can see and hear warning lights and sounds. 
  • Mine operators must ensure MWCs are properly worn.
  • Train miners on the functionality and importance of the PDS.

Additional Information

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

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

Coal Fatal – 12/18/25

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On December 18, 2025, a miner died after a tractor pinned him against the rib.

Best Practices

  • Stay out of “red zones” and pinch point areas.
  • Maintain effective traction on the slope.  Control or remove excessive water, mud and other debris.
  • Obtain proper clearances from the dispatcher prior to starting down the slope to ensure the travelway is clear.
  • Communicate your presence and intended movements when working around mobile equipment and wait for acknowledgment before moving.
  • Minimize pedestrian traffic in known haulage routes.

Additional Information

This is the 32nd fatality reported in 2025, and the 13th classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).

Coal Fatal – 11/8/25

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On November 8, 2025, a section foreman died after a mine was inundated with water from an adjacent abandoned mine. The foreman was found on November 13, 2025.

Best Practices

  • 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.”

Additional Information

This is the 28th fatality reported in 2025, and the first classified as “Inundation”.

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

Coal Fatal – 11/6/25

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On November 6, 2025, a miner died when the scoop he was operating was struck by the lead locomotive of a supply trip.

Best Practices

  • Operate mobile equipment at safe speeds appropriate for the grade, load, and track conditions. Select the proper gear before descending grades to maintain positive control.
  • Conduct thorough pre-operational examinations of all mobile equipment. Test brake systems, sanders, and communication devices before use and ensure they work properly.
  • Establish and follow communication protocols that require verification for all mobile equipment operators.
  • Make sure miners communicate their location and intended movements with the dispatcher.

Additional Information

This is the 27th fatality reported in 2025, and the 12th classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).

MNM Fatal – 9/29/25

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On September 29, 2025, a miner died when the Load Haul Dump Loader he was operating traveled into an open stope.

Best Practices

  • Do not work or travel near open stopes or holes.
  • Install and maintain signage identifying open holes or stopes.  Ensure signage is highly visible, maintained in place, and understood by everyone in the working area.
  • Install and maintain barricades, berms, or other restraining devices in front of open holes or stopes.
  • Establish and discuss safe procedures to prevent working or traveling near open holes.
  • Ensure miners maintain control of equipment while it is in operation.
  • Ensure that miners are properly task-trained for their assigned tasks.

Additional Information

This is the 24th fatality reported in 2025, and the tenth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).

MNM Fatality – 9/2/25

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On September 2, 2025, a blaster was loading holes from the ground when a piece of rock fell from the roof and struck him. The blaster died from his injuries.

Best Practices

  • Be alert for changes in the roof, face, and ribs and take additional safety precautions when adverse conditions are encountered.
  • Install ground support where ground conditions, or mining experience in similar ground conditions in the mine, indicate it is necessary.
  • Scale loose roof and ribs from a safe location to maintain safe ground conditions.
  • Examine and test the roof, face, and ribs in areas where work is to be performed prior to work commencing, after blasting, and as ground conditions warrant during the work shift.
  • Train miners on how to identify hazardous roof conditions.

Additional Information

This is the 21st fatality reported in 2025, and the second classified as “Fall of Roof or Back.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf), Final Report (pdf).