Outside Foreman

Employee was operating a pick-up truck on the -330 bench. A haul truck turned onto the -330 bench. The haul truck operator indicated they did not see the pick-up truck resulting in fatal injuries.

On October 14, 2020, at approximately 12:40 p.m., Esau Belton, a 61-year-old Leadman with 25 years of mining experience, died when a haul truck ran over his pickup truck. The accident occurred because mine management did not ensure miners adhered to traffic policies, procedures, and controls. Mine management did not address traffic pattern changes created by a screening plant and stock pile at the edge of the haul road.

1. The accident occurred because mine management did not ensure its established policies, controls, and procedures governing traffic control were followed.

   Corrective action: Mine management installed new equipment, developed new written policies and procedures governing traffic control, and trained all miners. Additionally, mine management relocated the screening plant and widened the bench road in that area from 28 feet to 78 feet. The new equipment and revised policies and procedures include the following:

Read the full report (PDF)

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

Activity at time of incident

Utility Truck, Water Trucks

Subunit / location

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Source of injury

HGHWY ORE CARIER,LRGE TRK

Nature of injury

CRUSHING

Body part affected

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Total mining experience

24 years

Experience at this mine

17 years

Experience in this job

3 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY