METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On February 3, 1995, a miner with six weeks of mining
experience was killed at an underground trona mine. An
earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale occurred
near the mine. The mine experienced roof falls and floor
heaves which liberated methane, knocked out stoppings and
inhibited ventilation. Fifty-five miners were underground
at the time of the earthquake. Fifty-three miners escaped
safely within the first four hours. One miner was
recovered the following evening and suffered no serious
injuries. The last miner suffered a fatal cardiac arrest
while being evacuated two days after the earthquake. This
is the sixth fatality reported in calendar year 1995 in
the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date
in 1994, there were five fatalities reported in these
industries. This death is the first fatality classified
as other this year. There were no fatalities classified
as other during the same period in 1994.
For more information:
MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report [FTL95M06]
