The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reported that 24 deaths occurred in metal and nonmetal mines in 2014, an increase from 22 deaths in 2013.
Eight deaths were caused by power haulage accidents, which involve equipment used to transport people.
Six deaths in metal/nonmetal mining occurred underground and the remaining 18 occurred at surface operations.
“Mining deaths are preventable, and those that occurred in 2014 are no exception,” says Joseph Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. “While MSHA and the mining industry have made a number of improvements and have been moving mine safety in the right direction, these deaths, particularly those in the metal and nonmetal industry, makes clear the need to do more to protect our nation’s miners.”
