On February 12, 2025, a miner died when the ground beneath the drilling rig he was operating failed, causing it to overturn and fall off the highwall.
Best Practices
- Examine highwalls and correct hazardous conditions before beginning work and as ground conditions warrant.
- Be aware of changes from the freeze and thaw cycles affecting the condition of the highwall.
- Operate mobile drills perpendicular to the edge of the highwall.
- Monitor work activities to ensure miners follow safe work procedures.
- Train equipment operators to identify hazardous highwall conditions.
Additional Information
This is the sixth fatality reported in 2025, and the second classified as “Machinery.”
Click here for: Preliminary Report (pdf)