Underground

MNM Fatal – 7/29/26

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On July 29, 2026, a contractor miner was injured after falling approximately 18 feet through an opening located on the fifth floor of the surface portion of the #3 hoist, and landing on the floor below. On August 1, 2026, the contractor miner died from complications related to those injuries.

Best Practices

  • Provide and maintain safe access to all working places. 
  • Protect miners from unguarded openings above, below, or near travelways through which persons may fall, by installing and maintaining guardrails, barriers, or covers for openings. 
  • Ensure miners wear safety belts and lines where there is a danger of falling. Ensure fall protection has a suitable fall arrest connection and secure anchorage system.
  • Conduct complete and thorough examinations of working places.
  • Train miners to perform tasks safely and always be aware of surroundings.

Additional Information

This is the 19th fatality reported in 2026, and the second classified as “Slip or Fall of Person.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatal – 7/6/26 OK

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On July 6, 2026, a miner died when a covered hopper railcar derailed and pinned him against a structural beam of a train load out silo.

Best Practices

  • Maintain railroad track and load-out areas to ensure safe operating conditions consistent with the speed and type of haulage used.
  • Control drainage where wet processes are used. 
  • Ensure that workplace examinations are conducted to identify and correct any hazardous conditions before miners begin work.
  • Ensure miners are trained in the task being performed.
  • Always provide and maintain a reliable communication system.

Additional Information

This is the 17th fatality reported in 2026, and the fifth classified as “Powered Haulage.” 

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

Coal Fatal – 7/11/26

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On July 11, 2026, a contract miner was seriously injured after being engulfed by coal spillage while shoveling beneath a silo. On July 20, 2026, the miner died from complications related to those injuries. 

Best Practices

  • From a safe location, remove all loose material that could fall or slide before working or traveling beneath bins and silos.
  • Ensure miners are positioned where they are not exposed to falling or sliding material hazards.
  • Examine working places to identify the potential for falling or sliding materials. 
  • Train miners to recognize and safely remove all potential hazards before beginning work.

Additional Information

This is the 18th fatality reported in 2026, and the third classified as “Falling, Rolling, or Sliding Rock or Material of Any Kind.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

Coal Fatal – 7/01/26

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On July 1, 2026, a miner died after a longwall shield hydraulically collapsed on him while performing maintenance on the shield.

Best Practices

  • Block the shields against hazardous motion before working on components that support the raised portions of the shields. Review and understand the manufacturer’s maintenance and repair procedures.
  • Be aware of potential pinch points when working on or near hydraulic components. Identify hazards that may be created as a result of the work being performed. 
  • Train miners who install, move, or maintain shields on proper procedures and hazard recognition, including manual operation of hydraulic control valves. Monitor personnel routinely to ensure they follow safe work procedures.
  • Maintain good communication with coworkers. Make sure those around you know your intentions.

Additional Information

This is the 15th fatality reported in 2026, and the fifth classified as “Machinery.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

Coal Fatal – 5/19/26

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On May 19, 2026, an assistant shift foreman died after a large section of rib fell and struck him. Two contractors were also injured in the accident.

Best Practices

  • Conduct thorough pre-shift and on-shift examinations of the roof, face, and ribs and conduct examinations thereafter as conditions warrant.
  • Train miners to recognize roof and rib hazards and to stop work in the area until hazards are corrected.
  • Adequately support loose roof and rib material and scale loose material from a safe location before working or traveling in an area.
  • Use the proper tool, like a slate bar, when pulling down loose roof or ribs.
  • Take additional safety precautions where mining conditions change and mining heights increase or thicker rock brows are present.
  • Always set posts or other floor-to-roof support from a safe location.
  • Train miners to follow the approved roof control plan.

Additional Information

This is the 11th fatality reported in 2026, and the first classified as “Fall of Face, Rib, Side or Highwall.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

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), Final 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)