The mining industry is trending toward an all-time single-year low for fatalities in 2024, with 13 having taken place through the midway point of August.
Based on Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) data, the mining industry’s all-time-low mark for fatalities in a single year is 25. That was the total in 2016.
According to MSHA, two miners died in 2024 powered haulage accidents during the first half of August, with another two dying in powered haulage accidents in July. All four of these accidents took place at coal mines.
Separately, the agency characterized a June 2024 accident involving a firefighter as a mining fatality. Based on MSHA’s report, a firefighter died while fighting a fire on a front-end loader. The victim was about four feet away from the tire when it ruptured, MSHA says, throwing him away from the front-end loader.
MSHA says another person was injured in the accident, which took place at a California sand and gravel operation.
Looking further back in 2024, MSHA data shows that four miners died in May accidents. One miner died in April, another in March and two in January. No miners died in February of this year.
MSHA data also shows that seven of the year’s 13 mining fatalities happened at coal mines and that six took place at metal/nonmetal operations. Six of the last seven mining fatalities overall took place at coal mines, according to the agency.
Of the six 2024 mining fatalities at metal/nonmetal operations, two occurred at sand and gravel operations. The other four occurred at a variety of sites, including those that mine common shale, crushed/broken limestone, crushed/broken stone and phosphate rock.
By state, West Virginia has the most mining fatalities in 2024 with three. All three happened at coal mines.
Colorado, Pennsylvania and Texas each have two mining fatalities in 2024. California, Florida, Indiana and Virginia have one each.\
Related: MSHA grants available to promote mine safety, training
