Three people died last month in mining accidents, according to reports from the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA).
The three fatalities elevated the mining industry’s 2024 total to 28. MSHA has not reported any industry fatalities on its website through Dec. 18. The last reported fatality was Nov. 27.
The industry’s all-time-low fatalities mark is 25. That record was established in 2016.
November’s three mining fatalities contributed to the industry matching its 2022 total. Thirty-eight miners died in accidents across the U.S. in 2023.
According to MSHA, the first of three November fatalities in the industry occurred Nov. 5 at a crushed stone operation in Texas. The agency characterized the incident as a powered haulage accident.
November’s second fatality happened Nov. 16 at a sand and gravel operation in Ohio. MSHA classified this incident as a machinery accident.
A third November fatality occurred Nov. 27 at an underground salt mine – also in Ohio. MSHA characterized this incident as a powered haulage accident.
Powered haulage and machinery are the top two causes of mining fatalities in 2024. Twelve of the 28 mining fatalities MSHA reported on last year were attributed to powered haulage. Four involved machinery.
Other 2024 fatality causes were fall of roof or back (three), slip/fall of person (three), electrical (two), other (two), fall of face/rib/highwall (one) and fire (one).
The mining industry was on pace to set the all-time-low mark for fatalities midway through 2024, but seven fatal accidents in August and six in September put the record-setting trajectory in doubt.
