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METAL/NONMETAL MINE FATALITY - On June 5, 2001, a 47-year-old production miner with 21 years mining experience, and a 34-year-old production miner with 10-years mining experience, were fatally injured at an underground silver mine. The victims were installing ground supports in a drift when a violent inrush of rock buried them.

Photo of Accident Scene

Best Practices

  • Prototype methods to relieve excessive rock pressure should be developed.

  • The feasability of utilizing different mining methods should be initiated.

  • Extraction ratios and backfill methods should be analyzed to initiate changes that will improve rock stability.
    • 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 15th and 16th fatality reported in calendar year 2001 in the metal and nonmetal mining industries. As of this date in 2000, there were 18 fatalities reported in these industries. This is the 2nd and 3rd fatality classified as Fall of Roof/Back/Rib in 2001. There were no Fall of Roof/Back/Rib 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