Miner

Miner was working in the 3200-033 raise. EE was bolting the hanging wall. A large wedge slipped off the wall and pinned the Miner to the foot wall causing fatal crushing injuries.

On April 11, 2023, at approximately 10:35 a.m., Blaik Nutting, a 26 year-old stope miner with over five years of experience, died when a 20 to 25-ton rock from the hanging wall fell and struck him. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not: 1) design, install, and maintain ground support to control the ground in places where miners work or travel to perform their assigned tasks, and 2) conduct adequate ground condition examinations in areas where work was to be performed.

1. The mine operator did not design, install, and maintain ground support to control the ground in places where miners work or travel to perform their assigned tasks.

   Corrective action: The mine operator updated the ground control plan to include ground support in narrow stope mining. The revised ground control plan contains additional information about proper installation, spacing, and maintenance of ground support bolts and stulls. The mine operator revised their training plan and trained miners on these changes.

2. The mine operator did not conduct adequate ground condition examinations and testing in areas where work was to be performed.

   Corrective action: The mine operator retrained their designated persons on what constitutes proper and thorough ground condition examinations and testing.

Read the full report (PDF)

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

Activity at time of incident

Roof Bolter, Nec

Subunit / location

UNDERGROUND

Underground location

VERTICAL SHAFT

Mining method

Conventional Stoping

Accident type

Struck by falling object

Source of injury

CAVING ROCK,COAL,ORE,WSTE

Nature of injury

CRUSHING

Body part affected

TRUNK, MULTIPLE PARTS

Total mining experience

5 years

Experience at this mine

5 years

Experience in this job

2 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY