MNM Fatal – 9/3/26b

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On September 3, 2026, a contract miner died while attempting to bolt two 30-inch diameter steel pipes together at a pond pad construction area. One of the pipes shifted and struck him.

Best Practices

  • Ensure all materials and equipment are blocked against hazardous motion.
  • Use proper tools and equipment for the task.
  • Ensure miners position themselves in safe locations while performing work.
  • Conduct a thorough pre-task risk assessment.
  • Establish and follow a written procedure for any tasks and train miners in safe work procedures related to their assigned tasks.

Additional Information

This is the 23rd fatality reported in 2026, and the first classified as “Handling Material.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatal – 9/3/26

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On September 3, 2026, a contractor was injured when the rigging of an elevated truck bed liner broke, causing the liner to strike him. On September 18, 2026, the contractor died due to complications related to those injuries. 

Best Practices

  • Never work, travel, or stand beneath a suspended load.
  • Securely block all materials against hazardous motion before cutting or removing components. Verify rigging is properly tensioned and anchored.
  • Use properly rated rigging, straps, chains, and tools. Inspect rigging equipment before use and remove any damaged equipment from service. 
  • Conduct thorough pre-task risk assessments to identify hazards such as stored energy, hazardous motion, suspended loads, and line-of-fire positions. 
  • Ensure clear communication among crew members regarding load control, cutting sequence, readiness, and hazard changes. 

Additional Information

This is the 24th fatality reported in 2026, and the second classified as “Handling Material.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatal – 9/2/26

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On September 2, 2026, a miner died while attempting to clean material from the troughing rollers of the stacker belt. The miner became entangled between the moving belt conveyor and belt scraper.

Best Practices

  • De-energize, lock out, tag out, and block belt conveyors against hazardous motion before performing repairs or maintenance.
  • Provide proper platforms, walkways, deck-level access or personnel lifts that allow safe access to elevated components.
  • Install and maintain belt wipers to remove material from belts.
  • Install adequate guarding to prevent any contact between miners and moving parts of a belt conveyor, including rollers and head and tail areas.

Additional Information

This is the 22nd fatality reported in 2026, and the sixth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

MNM Fatal – 8/24/26

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On August 24, 2026, a miner died when rocks fell from the highwall and struck him the while he was operating a drill.

Best Practices

  • Scale highwalls from a safe location to eliminate hazards such as loose, unconsolidated rocks and overhangs. 
  • Install benches to reduce exposure to falling rock, ensuring adequate bench width based on the type of equipment used for routine clearing or scaling operations.
  • Provide falling object protection structures on mobile equipment that operates near highwalls.
  • Conduct highwall examinations prior to working or traveling near the highwall and more frequently as ground conditions warrant, especially after periods of rain, freezing, and thawing.
  • Examine highwalls from multiple perspectives (bottom, sides, and top/crest) and look for signs of cracking and other geologic features that could lead to instability. 

Additional Information

This is the 21st fatality reported in 2026, and the second classified as “Fall of Face, Rib, Side or Highwall.”

Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)

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 – 7/29/26

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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)

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)

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)