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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On April 5, 2001, a 54-year-old miner with 30 years mining experience was fatally injured at an underground gold mine. The victim was operating a rail mucking machine loading shot rock into an ore car when the bucket caught the rib causing the unit to derail. The victim was crushed between the rib and the derailed machine.

Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Mobile equipment operators should maintain control of their equipment at all times.


  • Manufacturers specifications and operating procedures should be implemented when operating mobile equipment.
    • More Information E-mail Suggestion for Accident Prevention Program Submit your own suggestion for a remedy to prevent this type of accident in the future.
    Please specify if you wish your submission to be anonymous or whether your name may be used. Please include the year of the fatality and the fatality number.

    This is the eighth fatality reported in calendar year 2001 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2000, there were ten fatalities reported in these industries. This is the second fatality classified as Machinery in 2001. There were three Machinery fatalities in the same period in 2000.

    The information provided in this notice is based on preliminary data ONLY and does not represent final determinations regarding the nature of the incident or conclusions regarding the cause of the fatality.


    For more information:
    Fatal Alert Bulletin Icon MSHA's Fatal Accident Investigation Report