Mining Incidents

Ignition or Explosion of Gas or Dust

Every reportable mining accident MSHA has classified under Ignition or Explosion of Gas or Dust. Fatalities and serious injuries are the bulk of these records; some categories also include reportable non-injury events.

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Fatalities recorded
75
Total incidents
1,420
Fatal rate
5%

Top operators by fatality count

  1. 01 Performance Coal Company 29fatal
  2. 02 Jim Walter Resources Inc 13fatal
  3. 03 Wolf Run Mining Company 12fatal
  4. 04 Kentucky Darby Llc 5fatal
  5. 05 McElroy Coal Company 3fatal
  6. 06 Plateau Mining Corp 2fatal
  7. 07 Addington Mining, Inc 1fatal
  8. 08 Cosi Synfuels WV #1 Inc 1fatal
  9. 09 Elk Run Coal Co. 1fatal
  10. 10 Heidelberg Materials Southeast Agg., LLC 1fatal

Recent fatalities

July 31, 2019 KY · Coal welder (shop) Fatality · IGNITION OR EXPLOSION OF GAS OR DUST
KenAmerican Resources Inc · Struck by concussion

FMC employees were attempting to seal the hoist shaft at the Bremen Portal at Ken American Paradise Mine No. 9. Steel beams were welded in place metal decking was secured covering the shaft. Methane accumulated in the shaft and caused a series of two explosions 4-5 seconds apart. The second explosion killed FMC employee. No other fatalities or injuries occurred.

May 9, 2018 AL · Metal/Non-Metal dryer operator, kiln operator, dry plant operator, fluid operator, bed dryer operator Fatality · IGNITION OR EXPLOSION OF GAS OR DUST
Lhoist North America of Alabama, LLC · Contact with hot objects or substances

The injured miner & the supervisor were attempting to light the #2 kiln's gas flame. While the miner was holding a flare attached to a metal pole at the end of the gas pipe, the supervisor turned on the gas. In the process of lighting, the gas ignited & blew back through the front of the kiln causing burns to the right side of the miner's body. On 5/28/18 the EE passed away.

July 29, 2016 WV · Coal belt foreman, maintenance foreman, maintenance supervisor Fatality · IGNITION OR EXPLOSION OF GAS OR DUST
Spartan Mining Company, LLC · Contact with hot objects or substances

On 7/29/16, employee and co-worker were re-welding guards over the drive shaft of the turbine pump located on the surface above the #3 Shaft. Shortly after welding was completed, an ignition occurred in the #3 Shaft and employee received significant burns and lacerations. The investigation of this event is on-going. Employee died from the injuries on 8/4/16.

June 18, 2014 SC · Metal/Non-Metal outside foreman, leadman Fatality · IGNITION OR EXPLOSION OF GAS OR DUST
Heidelberg Materials Southeast Agg., LLC · Struck by flying object

The employee was present while two contract workers were performing a repair on a centrifugal water pump. During the repair, an explosion occurred. Heat may have been applied during the repair. The employee suffered fatal injuries.

April 5, 2010 WV · Coal apprentice, trainee Fatality · IGNITION OR EXPLOSION OF GAS OR DUST
Performance Coal Company · Struck by concussion

Victim died as a result of an explosion, cause unkown at this time. Received notification on 4/5/2010 that our employee was missing. Received notification late 4/6/2010 that employee was deceased.