Scoop Tram Operator

Preliminary investigation finds employee operating loader over-traveled, falling down stope.

On September 29, 2025, at 3:28 p.m., Jeremy Smokey, a 37-year-old load haul dump (LHD) operator died after the LHD he was operating went over the edge of a stope and fell 72 feet into an open hole. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not ensure the operator of the LHD maintained control of the piece of mobile equipment while preparing for the backfilling process.

1. The mine operator did not ensure the operator of the LHD maintained control of the piece of mobile equipment while preparing for the backfilling process.

   Corrective action: The open stope policy provides information concerning protective measures which include placement of bumper blocks and CRF berms. All equipment operators who work around the stopes received training emphasizing the open stope policy, including stope set up, the backfill phase of mining, and maintaining control of the mobile equipment at all times.

Read the full report (PDF)

Findings from MSHA's final investigation report, which supersedes the preliminary narrative above.

Activity at time of incident

Load-Haul-Dump (Ug)

Subunit / location

UNDERGROUND

Underground location

VERTICAL SHAFT

Mining method

Conventional Stoping

Accident type

Struck against a moving object

Source of injury

MINE JEEP,KERSEY,JITNEY

Nature of injury

CRUSHING

Body part affected

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Total mining experience

8 years

Experience at this mine

0 years

Experience in this job

7 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY